At the Estádio do Dragão practically full (47,374 spectators) and after a shaky start and with a stop for Martim Fernandes to be assisted, Benfica created danger in the first minutes of the game. The Eagles’ offensive involvement ended with a shot from Prestianni, already in the area, which went over Diogo Costa’s goal.
In response, FC Porto scores following a corner. Bednarek jumps higher and heads the ball into Trubin’s goal. The blue and whites, with the advantage, were close to extending the score. Trubin twice avoided the goal with shots from Gabri Veiga and Borja Sainz. In the resaca, Martim Fernandes shot wide.
After the Dragons’ offensive avalanche that gave the Reds some shivers, Benfica almost reached the goal in a quick counterattack. Sidny Lopes Cabral served by Prestiani, after a corner from FC Porto, entered the area and shot, with Pepê cutting it, with the ball still deflecting off the red player.
FC Porto returned to the attack and twice caused great danger near Trubin’s goal. After a wide cross from Gabri Veiga, Borja Sainz headed the ball into a tight save from the red goalkeeper. In the next minute, a strong recovery from FC Porto and Gabri Veiga, after a good technical gesture in the penalty area, shot wide.
Near half-time, a big setback for José Mourinho. Richard Ríos was injured on a stretcher and clutching his shoulder. Sudakov replaced the Colombian.
Even at the end of the first half, Benfica came close to scoring. Dangerous shot by Leandro Barreiro for a great save by Diogo Costa, with his right foot. On the rebound, Dedic shot over.
In the second half, Benfica tried to take the initiative of the match and Pavlidis looked for the goal with a cross shot inside the area, saved by Diogo Costa. FC Porto responded with a shot from Pablo Rosario, from outside the area, but Trubin grabbed it without difficulty.
Due to a mistake and overconfidence by Gabri Veiga, Prestianni ‘stole’ the ball from him, crossed for Pavlidis to hold in the area and leave it for Tomás Araújo to shoot wide. Diogo Costa deflected the ball with his eyes. Shortly after, Tomás Araújo returned with a shot from distance for Diogo Costa to slot in safely.
Before, Farioli made double changes to the team to stop the Reds’ slight rise. He launched Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes to replace Gabri Veiga and Borja Sainz. José Mourinho responded with the introduction of Schjelderup to replace Prestianni. Farioli was once again changing the team. Alberto Costa replaced Martim Fernandes on the right flank of FC Porto. Pablo Rosario goes down to central position and Alan Varela is in the middle. José Mourinho then introduced Ivanovic to replace Sidny Lopes Cabral.
In the 90th minute, it was an incredible loss for Benfica. Schjelderup worked well on the left of the Red attack, crossing for Pavlidis. The Greek forward had everything he needed to score the equalizer, but he missed his deflection from close range.
FC Porto, 20 times winner of the Cup, joins the draw for the competition, scheduled for this Thursday, with Torreense, from the II League, and Fafe, from the third tier, who eliminated, respectively, União de Leiria and Sporting de Braga.
Still to be played is the ‘quarters’ game, which pits Sporting, holders of the trophy, against AVS, in Lisbon.
