Round 8 of League III Season 2026 delivered plenty of goals and several important results as the Group A race continued to take shape. With 50 rounds in the season, there is still a long way to go, but every point is already valuable in the fight for promotion and the playoff places.
🔥 AS Dakar Sacré-Coeur 3–1 AZ Alkmaar
AS Dakar Sacré-Coeur produced one of the stronger performances of the round, defeating AZ Alkmaar 3–1. Dakar entered the match in 4th place and strengthened its position near the top of the table.
AZ, meanwhile, came into the match from 5th place, making this a particularly significant result in the upper part of Group A. Dakar's victory gives them an important advantage in the early promotion race.
⚽ Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 5–1 Shandong Luneng Taishan
The biggest win of Round 8 came from Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, who crushed Shandong Luneng Taishan 5–1.
Guangzhou, listed in 19th place entering the round, desperately needed a result like this. The three points and four-goal margin could provide a major boost as they attempt to climb toward the playoff positions.
Shandong, ranked 13th, suffered a damaging defeat and will need to respond quickly to avoid slipping further away from the playoff race.
🏆 Defence Force 4–1 SC Heerenveen
Defence Force continued its impressive run with a convincing 4–1 victory over SC Heerenveen.
The result was especially important because Defence Force entered the round in 18th place, just outside the playoff zone. A win by three goals gives them momentum and keeps the promotion playoff dream alive.
Heerenveen, on the other hand, had been struggling for consistency and could not stop Defence Force's attack.
🇳🇴 Viking FK 3–2 Audax Italiano
Viking FK claimed an entertaining 3–2 victory against Audax Italiano.
The Norwegian side entered Round 8 in 5th place, firmly inside the playoff positions. This win keeps Viking in the thick of the battle for the top nine and potentially the automatic promotion race.
Audax, ranked 7th, will be disappointed to leave with nothing after scoring twice. The defeat could prove costly in such a competitive upper-table battle.
🇨🇱 Coquimbo Unido 2–2 PFC CSKA Moscow
Coquimbo Unido and PFC CSKA Moscow played out a 2–2 draw in one of the round's most competitive matches.
Coquimbo entered the game in 3rd place, so dropping two points at home could hurt their pursuit of the automatic promotion position. CSKA, ranked 10th, earned a valuable point that keeps them close to the playoff places.
For CSKA, moving into the top nine will now be the immediate objective.
🇩🇪 FC Köln 2–2 Deportes Iquique
FC Köln and Deportes Iquique also shared the points, finishing 2–2.
Köln entered the round in 14th place, meaning the draw provides some relief but does not immediately put them into the playoff conversation. Deportes Iquique, ranked 2nd, will probably view this as two points dropped in their pursuit of the automatic promotion spot.
Iquique remain one of the teams to watch near the summit.
🇷🇺 FC Akron Tolyatti 2–1 Toronto FC
FC Akron Tolyatti picked up a valuable 2–1 victory over Toronto FC.
Akron entered the round in 11th place, just outside the Friendly Cup position and playoff places. The win gives them an opportunity to move closer to the top nine.
Toronto, ranked 1st, suffered one of the most significant defeats of the round. Losing from the top position could open the door for their closest rivals in the promotion race.
🇸🇳 ASCE La Linguère 3–2 Atlético Ottawa
ASCE La Linguère earned a dramatic 3–2 win over Atlético Ottawa.
La Linguère entered the match in 22nd place, so these three points are extremely important for a team trying to escape the lower reaches of Group A.
Ottawa, meanwhile, entered in 21st. Both clubs are currently outside the playoff picture, making this a crucial battle for points as they attempt to climb the standings.
🇲🇦 Raja 3–2 Dynamo Moscow
Raja also claimed a narrow 3–2 victory, defeating Dynamo Moscow in another five-goal thriller.
Raja entered the round in 9th place, sitting right on the edge of the playoff positions. The victory is therefore particularly valuable. A few more positive results could establish Raja as a serious playoff contender.
Dynamo, ranked 23rd, remain in the lower section of the table and need a turnaround soon.
🇸🇳 Casa Sports 3–2 Excelsior Rotterdam
Casa Sports came from a strong position to defeat Excelsior Rotterdam 3–2.
Casa entered the round in 24th place, so the victory is potentially a major boost for their campaign. They remain outside the playoff race for now, but three points at this stage could become important later in the season.
Excelsior, ranked 25th, suffered another setback and will be looking for a response in Round 9.
🇩🇪 RB Leipzig 1–2 Chaco Petrolero
Chaco Petrolero pulled off one of the round's notable results by defeating RB Leipzig 2–1.
Leipzig entered the match in 16th place, meaning they were just outside the playoff positions. The defeat prevents them from immediately closing the gap on the top nine.
Chaco, ranked 12th, earned a valuable three points and moved closer to the playoff battle.
📊 Round 8 Promotion Picture
The top nine positions remain the major target in Group A. At the end of the 50-round season:
- 🥇 1st place: Automatic promotion to League II
- 🏆 2nd–9th: Promotion playoffs for the second League II spot
- 🟦 10th: Friendly Cup qualification
- 👑 11th–12th: King's Cup qualification
- 🚫 No relegation: The bottom positions have no relegation consequences
The biggest winners from Round 8 were AS Dakar Sacré-Coeur, Viking FK, FC Akron Tolyatti, Raja, Chaco Petrolero, Defence Force and Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.
At the other end, Toronto FC's defeat from 1st place is particularly noteworthy, while teams such as Coquimbo Unido and Deportes Iquique will be frustrated after dropping points in draws.
With 42 rounds still remaining, the table is far from settled. The early battle for the automatic promotion place and the eight playoff positions is already becoming fascinating, while the teams currently outside the top nine still have plenty of time to mount a challenge.
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