Nacional move a step nearer first ever Portuguese Cup final

Pacos de Ferreira 2-2 Nacional

In the first leg of the first semi-final of this year’s Portuguese Cup Pacos de Ferreira and Nacional shared four goals tonight to leave the Madeira team favourites to progress to the final. Both teams are attempting to reach the traditional end-of-season match played at the Jamor stadium for the first time.

With two attacking sides coming face to face at the Mata Real a good match was in prospect, and the teams did not disappoint.  

Leandro Tatu put the hosts ahead on 17 minutes, only for Mateus to equalise on the half hour mark.  

Nene special

Nacional took the lead before the break when Nene, the leading goalscorer in the Liga Sagres, struck an unstoppable free-kick into the net.  

Back came Pacos, with Dede levelling the scores on 63 minutes. With no further goals added the islanders have the advantage going into the second leg thanks to two away goals.

The return match takes place on 22 April in Funchal. 

In the other semi-final FC Porto will take on Estrela da Amadora, the first leg of which at the Estadio do Dragao has been put back to 22 March. 

By Tom Kundert