Estoril keep European dream alive as André Lacximicant hat-trick sees off AVS
AVS 0-3 Estoril
Despite their brilliant form in the calendar year of 2025 (only two defeats to Sporting and Porto), Scottish coach Ian Cathro has insisted he wants more from his Estoril team, preaching that fighting for a European place should become the norm.
And the Canarinhos put in another sparkling performance tonight, making light of the driving rain for most of the 90 minutes by playing some lovely football and completely outclassing AVS.
It was a night to remember for young Portuguese striker André Lacximicant, who bagged his first hat-trick in senior football.
30-minute hat-trick
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when his presence chasing a long ball led to a mix-up between AVS centre-back Nacho Rodríguez and goalkeeper Simão Bertelli, with the Estoril striker taking advantage to fire into the empty net from 18 yards out.
Soon afterwards it was 2-0 to the visitors after a fine counter-attack. Xeka released Yanis Begraoui in the inside right channel, the Moroccan advancing and rolling a perfectly weighted cross across the box for the sliding Lacximicant to knock into the net from close range.
The dream night for Lacximicant was complete early in the second half when a superb pass by Wagner Pina opened up the AVS defence and the striker did the rest, beating Bertelli with ease.
AVS at last showed some fight in the last quarter of the match and were unlucky to be twice denied by the woodwork, but Estoril were fully deserving of the victory.
Midfield class
Lacximicant will grab the headlines but Xeka, Jordan Holsgrove and João Carvalho were outstanding in midfield, their intelligence, cohesion and technical proficiency too much for AVS to handle, while youngster Kévin Boma again demonstrated what an exciting prospect he is, the 22-year-old Togo international an impenetrable obstacle for AVS all night.
The win sees Estoril move, temporarily at least, to within three points of Vitória in sixth place.
By Tom Kundert