Be equal to a sporting occasion (5)

I believe the answer is:

match

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'be equal to' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for match that I've seen before include "Suit; fixture" , "Game; lighter" , "An exact duplicate or a contest between two" , "Formal contest - game" , "Lighter; contest" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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