Porto eliminate Benfica from the Taça de Portugal and will play Semifinals
José Mourinho suffered another major setback with Benfica, as his team were eliminated by Porto at the Estádio do Dragão in a Clásico that was virtually a must-win.
Mourinho’s Benfica failed to respond and crashed out of the Taça de Portugal, while the Dragões advanced to the semifinals, confirming their status as the best team of the season, also sitting as clear leaders of the Primeira Liga.
Bednarek and the goal that decided the Portuguese Clásico
In the 15th minute, the deadlock was broken by a powerful header from Jan Bednarek following a corner kick, exposing a defensive lapse from Mourinho’s side, far removed from the coach’s once-glorious teams.
After the goal, Porto controlled the match, while Benfica relied more on intensity than clear ideas. The passion of the Clásico boiled over in a brief scuffle that resulted in yellow cards for Samu Aghehowa (Porto) and Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica).
Benfica came close to equalising, but Diogo Costa rose to the occasion, producing two key saves inside the box to protect Porto’s lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, Benfica pushed higher up the pitch and spent more time in Porto’s half, threatening through Pavlidis and Tomás Araújo, but lack of finishing once again proved costly.
Even the introduction of Franjo Ivanovic failed to provide clarity, and Benfica added another disappointing chapter to their season.
Who will Porto face in the Taça de Portugal semifinals?
After eliminating José Mourinho’s Benfica, Porto will face Torrense, who defeated Leiria 3–1.
In the other semifinal, Fafe await their opponent after beating Braga. Their rival will come from the clash between Sporting and AVS, scheduled for February 3.
