Portuguese Cup: Braga oust Benfica at the Luz, Famalicão humble Paços

Portuguese Cup: Braga oust Benfica at the Luz, Famalicão humble Paços

Braga beat Benfica at the Estádio da Luz for the first time in 60 years tonight to progress to the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The hosts led at the interval through Jonas, but second-half goals from Aderlan Santos and Pardo turned it around for Sérgio Conceição's team. 

The only surviving club from outside the top flight in the last eight are Famalicão, who caused a big upset by beating Paços de Ferreira away. 

Marítimo only overcame Oriental after a dramatic penalty shootout, while Sporting were made to work hard by third-tier Vizela before coming through 3-2. 

 

Benfica 1-2 Braga 

The tie of the round started in lively fashion with Maxi Pereira and Pardo picking up early yellow cards, Benfica having the better of the play, but Braga creating the first chance, Pardo's fierce cross-shot well saved by the diving Júlio César. 

Benfica took the lead shortly after the half hour when Maxi sent over a peach of a cross that saw Brazilian striker Jonas rise majestically to send a perfectly timed header thudding into the net.

The home team were without the injured Salvio who fractured his arm in Sunday's clássico in Porto, but even without one of their most potent attacking weapons Benfica clicked into gear smoothly and looked likely to add to their lead as Braga disappeared as an attacking force up until the break. Goalscorer Jonas was guilty of a particularly bad miss from ten yards out after a swift counter-attack, his scuffed shot kept out by Braga goalkeeper Kritciuk. 

Midfield tussle

An aggressive running battle between midfielders Enzo Pérez and Ruben Micael added extra spice to what was an entertaining first half. 

Braga came out strongly after the break, and after Rafa had come close the Arsenalistas drew level as a low corner dribbled across the six-yard box without any Benfica defenders able to clear it, leaving centre-back Santos with the easy task of scoring from point-blank range. 

While Salvio's absence was not missed, the same cannot be said about Benfica's other high-profile absentee, Luisão, with another amateurish piece of defending allowing Braga to take the lead on 58 minutes. Pardo ran unchallenged from the halfway line to the edge of the box before calmly slotting past the exposed César. 

From that moment onwards Benfica took control of proceedings with Braga retreating ever more into their defensive third. The intense pressure from Jorge Jesus's men - which increased further when Talisca and Derley were brought on - seemed certain to be rewarded as a host of chances were created. 

Kritciuk heroics

But Russian goalkeeper Kritciuk, who is not even Braga's first-choice custodian, was in inspired form stopping everything that was fired at him, including three quite stupendous saves to deny Lima and Jonas twice.

Benfica beat Porto on the weekend despite being largely outplayed, but tonight the boot was on the other foot as Braga rode their luck and were rewarded for taking their chances. Out of Europe and out of the Portuguese Cup before Christmas, the Eagles will more than ever be focusing on retaining their championship crown. 

As for Braga, having come through tough draws away at Vitória Guimarães and Benfica in the last two rounds of the Portuguese Cup, Sérgio Conceição will be increasingly confident his side can achieve his stated aim of reaching the final of the competition at Jamor.

by Tom Kundert at the Estádio da Luz

Benfica: Júlio César, Maxi Pereira, César, Jardel, André Almeida (Derley, 86'), Ola John, Enzo Pérez (Pizzi, 46'), Cristante (Talisca, 77'), Gaitán, Jonas, Lima

Braga: Kritciuk, Baiano, Aderlan Santos, André Pinto, Djavan, Danilo, Pedro Tiba, Pardo, Rúben Micael (Custódio, 72'), Rafa (Agra, 73'), Éder (Sami, 84')

Goals:

[1-0] Jonas, 32'

[1-1] Aderlan Santos, 48'

[1-2] Pardo, 58' 

 

 

Round-up

Famalicão, who play in Portugal's third tier, caused a shock by beating high-flying Paços de Ferreira at the Capital do Móvel. Two goals early in each half, by Ricardo in his own net, and Diogo Torres put the visitors in control. Despite having Bruno Moreira sent off, Urreta cut the deficit with a late penalty, but it proved too little too late for Paços. Coach Paulo Fonseca was furious with his players after the game, saying: "It was a victory by a humble team over an arrogant team. I hope this serves as a lesson for my players."

Sporting again showed they are going through a poor run of form as they struggled to beat third-tier Vizela. On the balance of play the Lions were somewhat fortunate to twice take the lead through an André Martins penalty and a Paulo Oliveira header, but twice they were pegged back by the home side as two Talocha goals made in 2-2 at half time. Sporting stepped it up after the break, and Carlos Mané nodded in what turned out to be the winner but Vizela made Marco Silva's team sweat until the final whistle. 

In the other five ties the home team came out on top, although Marítimo were close to being surprised by second division Oriental, who had knocked Setúbal out in the previous round. After 120 minutes the 1-1 draw meant a penalty shootout, and the visitors looked to be through as they led 4-2 with Marítimo having two penalties left and Oriental one. But the hosts scored theirs, Oriental missed theirs, and a marathon shootout ended 9-8 to the Madeira side.

The quarter-final draw will be held on Monday. 

 

Full Portuguese Cup 5th round results (teams in bold progress)

Belenenses 2-0 Freamunde 

Benfica 1-2 Braga

Gil Vicente 2-1 Penafiel

Marítimo 1-1 Oriental (Marítimo win 9-8 on penalties)

Nacional 2-1 Santa Maria

Paços de Ferreira 1-2 Famalicão

Rio Ave 2-0 Chaves

Vizela 2-3 Sporting