The third round of the Portuguese Cup is when the big boys enter. In recent years the draw at this stage has been conditioned to make sure the top-flight sides play away, against a lower league team. A further modification to the format this season meant all teams involved in European competition got a bye into the next round.
Therefore, 14 of the 18 teams in Portugal’s top flight made their bow in this year’s Taça at the weekend. Remarkably, half of dozen of them fell by the wayside at the first hurdle.
Santa Clara, Alverca, Académico de Viseu, Nacional da Madeira, Moreirense and Famalicão were all knocked out.
The biggest giant-killers were fourth-tier teams Sanjoanense and Fátima, who beat Nacional da Madeira and Académico de Viseu respectively.
Sanjoanense pulled off the first surprise of the round, beating Nacional on Saturday afternoon thanks to a Demonreve Dabo strike.
Newly promoted Académico have enjoyed a fantastic start to life in the top flight and currently sit 6th in the standings, but on Sunday they found no way back after 21-year-old Fátima forward Lucas Russo’s early goal.
Like Académico, Santa Clara have made a brilliant start to their league campaign (currently 4th in the Primeira Liga table), but that served for nothing as they were shocked by 3rd-tier Mafra, who knocked out the Azorean outfit 3-2 after extra time. A 92nd-minute equaliser by Rodrigo Matos for the hosts sent the game into extra time, with Spanish-Senegalese striker Mamor Niang netting the winner.
Another big shock, although less so considering their league form, was the elimination of Famalicão by Liga 3 club Paredes. Miguel Moreno’s goal shortly before half time proved the difference between the sides to pile more pressure on beleaguered Famalicão manager Carlos Carvalhal.
Alverca were beaten 2-0 by Liga II side Tondela. The game was goalless after 90 minutes, but goals in extra time by Carraça and Tiago Dias gave Tondela victory.
Moreirense also bid an early farewell to their Portuguese Cup aspirations. A goal after just three minutes by former Benfica striker Rodrigo Pinho was enough for AFS to win the tie in Vila das Aves.
The fourth-round draw will involve all the teams in bold below plus Porto, Benfica, Sporting, Braga and Torreense.
Portuguese Cup 3rd round results
Wednesday 14 October
UD Santarém 2-3 Gil Vicente (after extra time)
Friday, 16 October
GD Chaves 2-1 CF Os Marialvas
Saturday, 17 October
ACDR Lamelas 0-1 Vitória SC
AD Sanjoanense 1-0 Nacional
SC Farense 3-0 AD Marco 09
Atlético CP 1-0 FC Vizela
Vianense 1-0 Leixões SC
Florgrade FC 1-2 Portimonense
Fazendense 1-2 CF Estrela
AFS 1-0 Moreirense FC
UD Leiria 2-1 GD Bragança
Louletano DC 0-1 Rio Ave FC
FC Penafiel 0-1 Leça FC
Académica de Coimbra 3-2 Amarante FC
Sunday, 18 October
SC Salgueiros 1-1 Estoril Praia (Estoril win penalty shootout)
Alcochetense 1-2 Marítimo
CD Tondela 2-0 FC Alverca (after extra time)
CD Mafra 3-2 Santa Clara (after extra time)
Alpendorada 0-1 Casa Pia AC
CD Fátima 1-0 Académico de Viseu
FC Felgueiras 1-0 Fafe
Olhanense 1-1 Oliveira do Hospital (Olhanense win penalty shootout)
Lusitânia de Lourosa 2-1 AD Os Limianos
Vitória FC 1-1 União da Serra (União da Serra win penalty shootout)
Brito SC 0-1 Vitória de Sernache
USC Paredes 1-0 FC Famalicão
Belenenses 3-4 FC Arouca (after extra time)
