Earlier in the day Pacos de Ferreira kept up their recent impressive form by coming from behind to beat Vitoria Guimaraes 2-1. The following semi-finals will be played in early March: Benfica v Sporting and Nacional v Pacos de Ferreira.
Desportivo das Aves 0-4 Benfica
Benfica warmed up for their clash against FC Porto on Wednesday with a 10th straight victory, a run in which the Eagles have notched up no fewer than 31 goals.
A draw last night against Liga Orangina side Desportivo das Aves would have been sufficient to progress to the semi-finals of the Bwin Cup, and coach Jorge Jesus sent out a team containing only two regular starters – Javi Garcia and Pablo Aimar.
Of the back-up players, Jara continues to take advantage of his opportunities (3 goals in 4 games), while Argentine winger Jose Luis Fernandez and centre-back Jardel acquitted themselves competently on their debuts, albeit against weak opposition.
Such was Benfica’s domination the result was never in doubt from the moment Javi Garcia headed the Lisbon side into the lead on 35 minutes. The Spaniard was first to a Fernandez cross, with Aves goalkeeper Godinho making things easier for the burly midfielder.
Jara and substitute Nuno Gomes took advantage of more suspect defending to increase Benfica’s lead in the second half, and Felipe Menezes rounded off the night with the goal of the night after being teed up by Gomes.
Benfica will host Sporting (a repeat of the 2009 final) in the semi-final on 3rd March.
Round-up
Pacos de Ferreira are now unbeaten in six matches and the modest club from the north of Portugal continue to win many friends with their vibrant attacking football, driven forward by a plethora of promising young chiefly Portuguese talent.
Vitoria Guimaraes, who were still in with a chance of making the semi-finals, took the lead from the penalty spot (Douglas) on 34 minutes but goals from Manuel Jose and David Simao earned Pacos a last-four date away at Nacional.
Braga needed a big win against Arouca and a Pacos loss to reach the semi-finals. Domingos Paciencia’s side kept their side of the bargain, but fail to progress in the competition after losing their previous match to the Castores.
Goals from Paulao, Mossoro, Guilherme and Keita gave the Arsenalistas a thumping victory.
In the other game played yesterday Maritimo travelled to the Algarve and beat Olhanense 1-0 thanks to a Danilo Dias strike on the hour mark.
Semi-final line-up:
Benfica v Sporting (3 March 2011)
Nacional v Pacos de Ferreira (2 March 2011)
Jorge Jesus sent out practically a reserve Benfica side and would have been delighted to see his charges win 4-0 at Desportivo das Aves to march into the Bwin Cup semi-finals. 
amazing to see Nuno back but i still hate how JJ doesn't like using him and prefers kardec...
also i still believe Jara should be starting with cardozo.. his attacking play is excelent!
great game and all, and on a side note: real madrid played TERRIBLE today and lost to Ossauna if thats how its spelt lol