In June 1833, the Liberal forces had been bottled up and besieged in Porto for a year, while the Absolutists remained in control of the rest of Portugal.
The Duke of Terceira landed near Faro and marched north through the Alentejo The Absolutists hastily gathered some forces to stop his advance towards the capital.
The Liberal army was able to push back the Absolutists, which entrenched themselves in the Castle of Almada.
The next day, the castle was taken by the Liberals and the leader of the Absolutists, General Teles Jordão, was killed.
The way to Lisbon now lay open for the Liberal army and they occupied the city without any further opposition.