Portuguese Cup: Big three book place in quarter-finals

Moreirense and Gil Vicente make it to last eight

Sporting, FC Porto and Benfica all successfully negotiated their 6th-round Portuguese Cup ties to make it into the last eight of the competition.

Setubal got the better of Guimaraes in the tie of the round, while the shock came in Barcelos as Gil Vicente knocked out Leixoes. The smallest club left in the competition are Moreirense, who are also joined by Naval and Estrela da Amadora in Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.

Sporting overcame Maritimo 2-1 at home thanks to first-half goals from Tonel and Liedson, sandwiching a Van der Linden strike.

A Rui Costa inspired Benfica also won at home, beating Pacos de Ferreira 4-1 with Oscar Cardozo scoring a brace from the penalty spot. Pedrinha gave the visitors an early lead, but Cardozo equalised before the break when he converted a spot kick after Rodriguez was tripped in the box.

On 52 minutes Makukula earned Benfica a second penalty that Cardozo again dispatched with aplomb, and late goals from Rui Costa and Nuno Assis completed the rout.

Farias on fire

Sertanense filled their tiny ground to bursting point, but FC Porto proved too strong and comfortably overcame the minnows 4-0. Tarik Sektioui, Ernesto Farias and Kazmierczak all hit the net the first half. Farias continued his hot streak with another goal after the break. The Argentine has now scored six goals in five matches.

Setubal knocked out Guimaraes on penalties. Two tremendous long-range strikes from Claudio Pitbull and Joao Alves cancelled each other out and left the score at 1-1 after 120 minutes, and the home team kept their nerve better in the penalty shootout to make progress.

The shock of the round saw Liga da Honra side Gil Vicente knock out top-flight team Leixoes, thanks to a Diego Gaucho header in extra time.

Moreirense become the smallest club left in the competition as they comfortably overcame fellow lower-league outfit Atletico de Valdevez, scoring a 3-0 win away from home.

Bwin Liga side Naval were made to work hard to earn a home victory against Liga Vitalis outfit Rio Ave. Mateus put the visitors ahead on 73 minutes, but Marcelinho equalised soon after to send the tie into extra time. Marcelinho then scored his second and Elivelton made sure of the win.

Full Results:

Benfica 4-1 P. Ferreira
Gil Vicente 1-0 Leixoes (a.e.t.)
Naval 3-1 Rio Ave (a.e.t.)
Sertanense 0-4 FC Porto
Setubal* 1-1 Guimaraes (a.e.t.)
Sporting 2-1 Maritimo
Valdevez 0-3 Moreirense
* Won on penalties

Bye: Estrela da Amadora

The draw for the quarter finals takes place on Tuesday.