Mate finally scored during match (8)
I believe the answer is:
compadre
'match' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'mate finally scored during' is the wordplay.
'mate' becomes 'compare' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'finally' says to take the final letters.
'during' is an insertion indicator.
The final letter of 'scored' is 'd'.
'compare' enclosing 'd' is 'COMPADRE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for compadre that I've seen before include "Friend, companion" , "American friend" , "Friend (from Spanish)" .)