Portuguese Cup round-up: Porto scrape through after marathon penalty shoot-out
Sporting given scare by Chinese forward
 Portuguese Cup holders FC Porto were given an almighty fright before finally overcoming Belenenses in an epic battle last night. The match ended 2-2 after extra time and an incredible penalty shoot-out ensued, with Porto eventually coming out on top after 30 penalties had been taken.
Belenenses are having a disastrous season in the league and sit rock bottom of the Liga Sagres table, but that counted for nothing as the Lisbon side put in a sterling performance against the national champions.
Twice in normal time the excellent Lima put the hosts ahead, but twice Porto equalised, through Falcao and Rodriguez. The extra half hour almost brought a goal at each end, as Ze Pedro for Belenenses and Mariano Gonzalez for Porto were both denied by a combination of goalkeeper and post.
Porto’s Cristiano Rodriguez was sent off but Belenenses could not take advantage of the extra man and the tie went to penalties. Both Porto goalkeeper Beto and his Belenenses counterpart Bruno Vale produced a series of outstanding saves as 11 of the thirty penalties were saved or missed, before Ernesto Farias converted the decisive spot kick close to midnight.
More penalty drama
Likewise, the Rio Ave versus Vitoria Guimaraes tie was packed with drama, as Carlos Brito’s team also came out on top in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw.
Adriano (penalty) and Bruno Gama twice put the Rio Ave in front, but Desmarets and Tiago Targino earned the visitors a draw. In extra time Rio Ave had a golden chance to win the game, but Nilson saved Adriano’s penalty. But the missed opportunity did not prove decisive, as hosts came out on top in the lottery of the penalty shoot-out, 3-2.
Sporting given fright
At the Alvalade stadium Sporting appeared to be coasting to victory as goals from Matias Fernandez (penalty), Daniel Carrico, Carlos Saleiro and Yannick Djalo gave a second-string starting line-up a comfortable 4-1 lead shortly after half time against lower league club Mafra.
But Chinese striker Zhang had other ideas, scoring two goals to complete an impressive hat-trick and cause moments of anxiety for the hosts late in the game. The Lions held on, however, to make it six straight victories in all competitions.
Pacos oust Nacional
Nacional appear to be in freefall as they lost their 4th match in a 5-game winless streak. In a repeat of last year’s semi-final, Pacos came out on top thanks to goals from Maykon and Pizzi, with Leandro Salino’s equaliser in between proving in vain.
Braga had little trouble brushing aside Liga Vitalis team Freamunde, as goals from Filipe Oliveira, Moises and Matheus gave the Arsenalistas a 3-1 victory. Naval had to fight hard to overcome minnows Aliados de Lordelo, winning 1-0 thanks to a Daniel Cruz goal.
Lower league side Pinahalnovense beat Camacha 1-0 away, and the quarter-finalists will be completed on Sunday when Chaves host Beira-Mar.
Full 5th-round results:
Camacha 0-1 Pinhalnovense
Aliados Lordelo 0-1 Naval
Nacional 1-2 P. Ferreira
Rio Ave* 2-2 V. Guimaraes
Freamunde 1-3 Braga
Belenenses 2-2 FC Porto*
Sporting 4-3 Mafra
Chaves v Beira-Mar (24/01/2010)
* Won on penalties
by Tom Kundert
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