Cardozo double sees Benfica safely through to next round

Paraguayan hits four goals in two matches

Two more goals from Paraguayan striker, Oscar Cardozo, saw Benfica safely into the next round of the Portuguese Cup with a 3-1 win over Academica at the Estadio da Luz.

Centre-back Luisao headed in the opener five minutes before the break, and Cardozo doubled the Eagles’ lead before the interval with a left-foot strike. N’Doye pulled a goal back for Academica in the 52nd minute, but Cardozo made sure Benfica would be joining Porto and Sporting in the next round with a late header.

Elsewhere there were no major upsets. The only two top-flight teams knocked out of the competition – Belenenses and Academica – fell to fellow Bwin Liga teams.

Portuguese Cup: Porto and Sporting cruise through to 5th round

Last year’s beaten finalists Belenenses knocked out

FC Porto and Sporting both booked their place in the next round of the Portuguese Cup with straight-forward victories against lower league opposition this weekend.

FC Porto, despite resting six first-team players, won 2-0 away at Chaves thanks to second-half goals from Helder Postiga and Adriano.

Sporting returned to winning ways with a 4-0 home victory over Louletano. Three of the Lions’ summer recruits from the East did the damage, with Purovic (pictured) bagging a brace while Vukcevic and Izmailov scored a goal apiece.

Last year’s finalists, Belenenses, were surprised at home by Pacos de Ferreira. The match finished 2-2 after extra time with Pacos winning the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

Full Results:

Sporting 4-0 Louletano
Valdevez 3-1 Tocha*
Lagoa 3-2 Santa Clara
D. Chaves 0-2 F.C. Porto
Camacha 2-3 Sp. Braga
Carregado 1-2 Olhanense
Real 0-1 D. Aves
Feirense 4-1 Lusitania Azores
E. Amadora 4-2 Fatima*
U. Leiria 2-0 Nelas
Benfica 3-1 Academica
Leixoes 4-0 Torreense
Penafiel 2-1 Vizela
Rio Ave 6-1 Rebordosa
Anadia 1-0 Freamunde
UD Oliveirense 4-0 Mondinense
Atletico 0-1 V. Guimaraes
Nacional 5-0 Cova da Piedade
Abrantes** 0-0 Monsanto
Moreirense 4-0 Machico
Messinenses 0-2 Gil Vicente*
Infesta 1-2 Juv. Evora
Operario 0-1 V. Setubal
Belenenses 2-2 P. Ferreira**
Serzedelo 0-3 Naval
Beira-Mar** 0-0 Torre Moncorvo
Sertanense 2-1 Portimonense*
Bye: Boavista and Maritimo

* After extra time
** Won on penalties