LPFA Playoffs Deliver Drama as Devils Stay Perfect and Crusaders Complete Historic Comeback
- Guilherme De Jesus
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
The LPFA semifinals delivered two very different games — one defined by control and discipline, the other by chaos, momentum swings, and one of the greatest comebacks the league has seen in recent years.
The result? The Lisboa Devils remain unbeaten and advance to yet another final, while the Cascais Crusaders survive an instant classic against the Lisboa Navigators to set up a highly anticipated championship clash.
Lisboa Devils 16 – 7 Braga Warriors
Silent dominance sends Devils to the final
It may not have been the flashiest performance of the season, but it was perhaps one of the clearest examples of what makes the Lisboa Devils so difficult to beat.
The scoreboard says 16–7. The game itself felt even more controlled than that.
The Devils quietly dominated the trenches from start to finish, leaning heavily on the run game and wearing down what had consistently been one of the most physically imposing defenses in the league throughout the season. Braga’s front had earned respect all year long, but against Lisboa, they simply could not hold up for four quarters.
And once again, everything started with the Devils’ defense.
Even after questions surrounding injuries and missing pieces in recent weeks, this unit once more proved why it remains the gold standard in Portuguese football. The pressure was relentless, the tackling disciplined, and Braga’s offense never truly looked comfortable for extended stretches.
At this point, it is impossible not to recognize the depth of this defensive roster. Different players continue stepping in seamlessly, and the overall level barely drops. The Devils don’t rely on one or two stars — they rely on a defensive identity that has suffocated nearly every offense they’ve faced this season.
Allowing only 7 points in a semifinal against a playoff team is simply another chapter in what has already been a historically dominant defensive season.
Braga still managed to put together a respectable performance overall. Defensively, they fought hard, and the game remained within reach for long stretches. But offensively, inefficiency ultimately cost them, due partly to Lisboa’s defensive dominance, and partly to a few questionable decisions from the Warriors’ coaching staff in key moments.
For the Devils, however, there remains one recurring issue: penalties.
Once again, offensive flags and self-inflicted mistakes stalled drives and prevented the game from becoming a complete blowout. Against most teams, Lisboa’s talent allows them to survive those mistakes comfortably. In a final against the Crusaders, that margin may become far thinner.
As for the Warriors, the season ends in somewhat mixed fashion. Expectations entering the year were that Braga could finally cement themselves among the league’s true elite. Instead, they once again fell short against the LPFA’s established top three: the Devils, Navigators, and Crusaders.
Still, the trajectory remains positive. Braga clearly improved throughout the season and showed signs of becoming a more complete team week after week. This may not have been the breakthrough year many expected, but it certainly did not feel like a step backward either.
Cascais Crusaders 38 – 34 Lisboa Navigators
Crusaders complete stunning comeback in instant LPFA classic
If Devils–Warriors was a tactical and physical battle, then Navigators–Crusaders was pure chaos — and easily the most entertaining game of the 2026 LPFA season.
At halftime, it looked over.
The Lisboa Navigators led 28–12, controlled the pace of the game, and seemed destined for a place in the final. The Crusaders looked flat, disconnected, and completely overwhelmed during the first half.
And then everything changed.
Cascais came out after halftime playing with urgency, aggression, and belief, while the Navigators appeared to fall into a dangerous sense of comfort. What had looked like a controlled game quickly spiraled into a shootout, with momentum swinging entirely toward the Crusaders.
Little by little, the comeback became real.
The Crusaders’ offense exploded to life, finally finding rhythm through the air and on the ground, while the defense began creating the stops they desperately lacked early on. Suddenly, the pressure shifted entirely onto Lisboa — and the Navigators never truly regained control.
By the final whistle, the Crusaders had completed one of the most impressive playoff turnarounds the league has seen, winning 38–34 and punching their ticket to the championship game.
Despite the collapse, this should not overshadow what was still an outstanding season for the Navigators. Their only losses came against the two teams now competing for the title, and both were highly competitive games.
This is a roster with an excellent balance of youth and experience, and a team that feels far closer to a championship breakthrough than previous iterations. The foundation is clearly there.
For the Crusaders, however, the focus now shifts toward the ultimate challenge.
Because waiting for them in the final is a Devils team that has shown absolutely no signs of complacency all season long — and more importantly, a team that still hasn’t lost a single game.
Watch the Semifinal Highlights
For those who missed the action — or simply want to relive two very different but memorable semifinal games — highlights are now available online:
From the defensive dominance of the Devils to the unbelievable second-half comeback by the Crusaders, both games perfectly captured the intensity of this year’s playoffs.
Maleo Bowl 2026: The Final Is Set
The 2026 LPFA season now comes down to one final showdown.
The Maleo Bowl 2026 will feature the unbeaten Lisboa Devils against the battle-tested Cascais Crusaders, in what promises to be one of the most anticipated finals in recent league history.
The championship game will take place on:
Date: May 16
Time: 17:00
Venue: Estádio Municipal de Mafra
The matchup places two completely different journeys face-to-face.
On one side, the Devils arrive undefeated, powered by the league’s most dominant defense and a level of consistency no other team has managed to match this season.
On the other, the Crusaders enter the final riding the momentum of an incredible playoff comeback, proving they have the firepower and resilience to compete with anyone when their offense catches rhythm.
Discipline, physicality, execution, and composure will likely decide who lifts the trophy.
Because after months of football, the LPFA season now comes down to a single game.
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