Torreense celebrated their first ever game in European competition tonight in style, beating Lillestrom in Norway 2-1 thanks to goals by Spanish duo Alejandro Alfaro and Manuel Pozo. The hosts rallied late on, Thomas Olsen halved the deficit, and when Nuha Jatta was sent off the local fans sensed they could still get at least a draw.
But the ten men of Torreense held on for a deserved victory to get their Europa League campaign off to a dream start.
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Historic campaign
After their Portuguese Cup heroics and heart-breaking failure to gain promotion in the final week of last season, strong emotions continue to be felt among Torreense fans in 2026/27.
Following a creditable showing and a narrow Super Cup loss to Porto in the season curtain raiser, the Liga II campaign has not begun well. Only one win in six matches sees the club from Torres Vedras sitting in 14th place in what is supposed to be a renewed promotion charge.
But tonight’s debut in the Europa League has the club and their supporters smiling again.
Shining on the big stage
The biggest complement that can be paid to coach Luís Tralhão and his team is that they did not look out of place against a side with years of European experience behind it.
The Portuguese outfit more than matched their opponents for the first 70 minutes. Alejandro headed Torreense into the lead midway through the first half, nodding in an excellent David Bruno cross.
At this stage Torreense were taking the game to the Norwegians, Malik Abubakari forcing Lillestrom goalkeeper Dahlberg into a brilliant reflex save.
After a wobble before the break, Torreense got back on top early in the second half and doubled their lead in the 49th with another fine goal. The club’s Spanish connection was again in evidence as impressive left-back Javi Vázquez crossed to his compatriot Manu Pozo, who rifled a hard low shot into the net.
Lillestrom storm back
Whether it was tiredness, nerves or a series of Lillestrom substitutions, the home team gradually began to get a firm grip on proceedings, putting increasing pressure on Torreense.
On 79 minutes the Portuguese team’s resistance finally broke as a swift move ended with Olsen tapping in from close range.
Spurred on by the noisy home crowd, Lillestrom threw everything at Torreense, who were reduced to ten men when Jatta picked up a careless second yellow card, but at the final whistle it was the small pocket of visiting fans who were making the noise as they wildly celebrated another historic night for the club.
