Braga beat Sporting 4-3 after extra time to make the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup at the Quarry last night. The lead changed hands four times in a thrilling match, with Braga substitute Rui Fonte heading in the winner in the 111th minute. 

Elsewhere Porto also made the last eight after a narrow 1-0 win at Feirense thanks to an early Aboubakar goal. Braga and Porto are joined in Monday's draw by Rio Ave, Nacional, Arouca, Gil Vicente, Estoril and the winner of today's Boavista-Académica match. 

Mixed fortunes for Portugal’s Europa League trio

Portuguese champions Benfica will play the champions of Russia, Zenit Saint Petersburg in the round of 16 of the Champions League. It is a repeat of the 2011/12 clash between the two sides at the same stage of the competition, with Benfica coming out 4-3 aggregate winners on that occasion.

In the Europa League FC Porto were handed arguably the standout tie of the whole round, as they were paired with German giants Borussia Dortmund. Sporting also have German opposition, in the shape of Bayer Leverkusen, while Braga were drawn against Swiss outfit FC Sion.

There was much to play for in the Liga NOS this weekend.

After an indifferent week for Portuguese clubs in European competition, some had something to prove to their respective supporters, while others were desperate for points to join them on the continent next season.

Others just needed points to get clear of the basement.

Sporting and Braga will join FC Porto in Monday's Europa League draw. The Lisbon club came back from a goal down to beat Besiktas 3-1 at the Alvalade and book their place in the knockout stage of the competition. 

Braga, who had already qualified for the next phase, finished top of Group F thanks to a goalless draw in the Netherlands against Groningen. Belenenses succumbed to a single goal defeat in Italy against Fiorentina to go out.