Shocks galore as Chaves dump Porto out of Portuguese Cup

21 November 2016

The 4th round of the Portuguese Cup brought shocks and goals a-plenty.

Last year’s beaten finalists FC Porto were knocked out at Chaves, while Primeira Liga teams Nacional, Feirense and Paços de Ferreira fell by the wayside against sides from the lower leagues.

The upshot is that half of the 16 teams left in the competition are from outside the top flight, with four teams from the third tier making it to the next round.

Porto looked to have been handed the toughest draw of the Big Three and so it proved as Jorge Simão’s high-flying Chaves fought to a goalless draw after 120 minutes and then got the better of the Dragons in a penalty shootout.

The hosts rode their luck at times, but Simão was a proud man at the end of the night saying, “the soul of this team is incredible.” His opposite number Nuno Espírito Santo voiced his complaints about the refereeing, especially the official’s failure to award what looked like a clear penalty in stoppage time.

Both Sporting and Benfica sailed into the next round with big wins against Praiense (5-1) and Marítimo (6-0) respectively. For the Lions, little-used striker André scored a brace as a late substitute, while for the rampant Eagles Gonçalo Guedes and Nelson Semedo impressed.

Braga had a scare against Santa Clara when they fell behind on the hour mark and were still losing with five minutes remaining, but goals by Rui Fonte and Stojiljkovic saw the Cup holders squeeze through.

In the tie of the round Vitória de Guimarães beat Boavista 2-1 after extra time in front of a big crowd at the Bessa, with Hurtado scoring the winner two minutes before a penalty shootout.

Two of the biggest shocks saw third-tier teams Vilafranquense and Torreense beat Paços de Ferreira and Nacional respectively, both thanks to late goals in 1-0 victories. Marocas was the hero for Vilafranquense while Bonifácio’s 91st-minute goal proved the winner for the team from Torres Vedras.

Académcia, currently in the Segunda Liga and coached by former Portugal and Porto midfielder Costinha, knocked out top-flight Feirense on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

Also worthy of special mention are two third-tier sides Sanjoanense and Real Massamá, who knocked out Segunda Liga teams Gil Vicente and Olhanense respectively.

Full results (teams in bold progress to next round):

Aljustrelense 1-2 Tondela

Benfica 6-0 Marítimo

Benfica Castelo Branco 0-2 V. Setúbal

Boavista 1-2 V. Guimarães

Braga 2-1 Santa Clara

Chaves* 0-0 FC Porto

Estoril 2-0 Cova da Piedade

Feirense 0-0 Académica*

Oriental 1-2 Leixões

Vizela 0-1 Penafiel

Real Massamá 2-0 Olhanense