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Sporting CP claimed the 2025 Taça de Portugal with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over arch-rivals Benfica at the Estádio Nacional in Jamor on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The win secured a domestic double for Ruben Amorim’s side, who had already clinched the Liga Portugal title earlier in the season.
The match began with Sporting asserting early pressure, and their dominance paid off in the 23rd minute when striker Viktor Gyokeres headed home a cross from Pedro Gonçalves to put the visitors ahead. Benfica responded with increased intensity after the break, equalizing in the 68th minute through a penalty converted by Ángel Di María after a handball call against Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
As regulation time drew to a close, both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could find the decisive goal, sending the match into extra time. It was in the additional period that Sporting reasserted control. Gonçalves restored the lead in the 102nd minute with a low drive from the edge of the box, before Gyokeres completed his brace in the 115th minute, latching onto a through ball from Morten Hjulmand and finishing calmly past Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
The victory marked Sporting’s first Taça de Portugal triumph since 2019 and completed a historic double, making them the first Portuguese club to win both the league and cup in the same season since Benfica achieved the feat in 2016-17. For Amorim, it represented his first major trophy as Sporting’s head coach, having taken over the role in March 2024.
Benfica, meanwhile, saw their hopes of a domestic double end in disappointment. The Eagles had entered the match as slight favorites, buoyed by their strong league form and recent head-to-head advantage over Sporting. However, they were unable to break down a resilient Sporting defense that conceded just once in 120 minutes of play.
Individual performances stood out across the pitch. Gyokeres was named man of the match for his two goals and constant threat to the Benfica backline, although Gonçalves contributed a goal and an assist alongside tireless work-rate in midfield. For Benfica, Di María’s penalty remained their sole highlight in an otherwise frustrating evening, as they struggled to create clear-cut chances despite dominating possession in spells.
The result carries significant implications for both clubs’ European qualification. As Liga Portugal champions, Sporting have already secured a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Their cup victory ensures Benfica will enter the UEFA Europa League at the third qualifying round stage, having finished second in the league.
Looking ahead, Sporting will begin their Champions League campaign in September, facing a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the group stage draw. Benfica, meanwhile, will enter Europa League qualifying in August, aiming to navigate through the rounds to reach the group phase.
The Taça de Portugal final added another chapter to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with the Lisbon derby delivering exactly the drama and intensity expected of such a fixture. For Sporting, the victory represented validation of their season-long progress under Amorim, while Benfica will need to regroup quickly as they turn their focus to European competition and defending their league title next term.
As the celebrations began at Jamor, Sporting players and staff made their way to the podium to collect the trophy, marking the culmination of a historic campaign that saw them dominate domestically and establish themselves as the team to beat in Portuguese football.
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