RAF2's best performance at the Lisbon Tournament came in 2022 where they competed well at the group stage with 3 wins out of 4. They were free-scoring with 4-0 wins over FC Shark, 3-0 against Riise's Pieces and 7-3 against Southgate Rascals. They did suffer 3-0 defeat to compatriots CDAL but still qualified for the Cup in second place. The Cup QF saw a fine 4-2 win over Montanelas FC (Por). The SF saw them draw 2-2 with 2017 finalists Galacticos but they emerged victorious on spot-kicks (incidentally, Galacticos won last month's 2025 Porto Tournament). RAF2 had set up a repeat encounter v CDAL in the Cup Final but were unable to exact revenge as they fell 2-0 to collect runners-up medals.

The Portuguese team had enjoyed a relatively slow start to the day with 1 point from a possible 6. AC Motxto International were looking for their first points of the day following two successive 2-0 defeats. RAF2 had been slow starters today being 1-0 down at HT in both their previous games. The same was to happen here when Alfonso Martin Ruiz-Orejon scored for the Spanish team.

RAF2 had managed to recover from a goal down in the second half against Sloane FC and they would need to summon those same reserves here to rescue a point (or better) against AC Motxto. Tiago Guerreiro was the man on target this time to make it 1-1. Neither team could find a winner though and the match ended even.

Group A resumed with an all-English clash as two debutants, Sloane FC and Brixton Gas, went head-to-head in a key fixture that would have major implications at the top end of the table. Sloane FC had the momentum, coming into the tie off the back of their first win, while Brixton Gas were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat albeit to the reigning champions.

Sloane FC looked the sharper side at the critical moments, and they were rewarded for their pressure before the break. Cam Holmes-Price, who had been lively all morning, bagged his second goal of the tournament to give his side a slender but deserved 1-0 lead at the interval.

In the second half, Brixton Gas pushed for an equaliser, but they were met with disciplined defending and composed goalkeeping. As they chased the game, gaps began to appear, and Mohammed Nawaz Sharif made them pay with a well-taken second to seal the win for Sloane FC. At the other end, Sloane FC kept their second clean sheet on the bounce. The result saw Sloane FC move to the summit of Group A, while Brixton Gas remained in third place and now faced an uphill battle to stay in contention for Cup qualification.

PFC had a superb record at this tournament over the years:

2017: Cup Winners

2018: Plate Runners-Up

2019: Cup Runners-Up

2022: Cup QF

2023: Cup Winners

Today was no exception as they had picked up the maximum 6 points available. They were banging in the goals for fun (8 already) and conceded just the one. Their opponents would be AC Motxto International. The Spanish had lost their first 2 games (both 2-0) but had just secured their first point with a 1-1 draw versus RAF2. This would be AC Motxto's last group game. If they could secure a win they could still qualify as one of the best third placed teams but would be relying on a lot of results to go their way.

A win was always going to be a tough ask against PFC. The Brazilian team quickly forged ahead as they continued their goalscoring spree. Claudio Faustino continued his record of scoring in every game to break the deadlock. Pedro Abrantes made it 2-0 at half-time as PFC were on course for win #3.

After the break Valdo Eusebio, Tiago Oliveira and Andre Tomas were all on target. Tomas's goal was his fourth of the tournament as he was riding high for the golden boot award. PFC went top, AC Motxto International would finish 5 th and progress to the Plate.

Game 9 delivered one of the most dramatic encounters of Group A as RAF2 and Brixton Gas faced off in a high-stakes battle for third place – and potentially a coveted Cup qualification slot. With Brixton Gas holding the edge on points, a draw would be enough for them to finish third but would it be enough to be one of the two best third placed teams? For RAF2, it was win or bust.

The Portuguese side came out with intent and struck first through Tiago Guerreiro, notching his second of the tournament. But Brixton Gas showed resilience and responded before the break courtesy of a Samuele Mura strike, ensuring the sides were level at 1-1 at half-time in a gripping contest.

The second half followed a similar pattern – Guilherme Rodrigues restored RAF2's lead with his second of the campaign, only for Tom Ross to come up clutch with his second tournament goal, drawing Brixton Gas level at 2-2. Both teams would need to go for the win to advance their chances. The final whistle saw the English side hold firm for the point that would see them secure third place in the group and keeping their Cup hopes alive. They now had to wait to see if they had done enough. For RAF2, it was a spirited performance but a case of so near, yet so far, as they would move forward into the Plate competition.

Although the fixtures are random we couldn't have planned it any better if we tried. The climax of Group A would be a title decider: Sloane FC v PFC.

The final fixture of Group A brought together two unbeaten sides with both teams having impressed in earlier games, expectations were high – though many had PFC as favourites, having boasted a fearsome goal difference of 12-1 going into the match. A draw would be enough for the South Americans; Sloane FC needed victory to leapfrog them and claim top spot.

The first half was a tense and tactical affair with neither side willing to give much away. 0-0 at the break, it was anyone's game – but what followed was a dramatic and impressive second-half display from the English side. Mohammed Nawaz Sharif broke the deadlock with a vital opener, before Cam Holmes-Price doubled the advantage to make it 2-0 – the goal his third of the tournament. Suddenly, the group's dynamic had shifted, and Sloane FC had one hand on top spot.

PFC were never going to lie down, and tournament top scorer André Tomás pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 and notch his fifth goal of the campaign. A pulsating finale followed with end-to-end action and high drama, but Sloane FC stood firm to hold on for a sensational win. The result saw them climb above PFC to win Group A outright, a remarkable achievement against a side many had tipped to go all the way. Make no mistake, Sloane FC were real contenders for this title.