Moreirense have enjoyed a fabulous start to the 2025/26 season, as attested by their current fifth-place standing in Liga Portugal, but they came a cropper today in the Portuguese Cup at the hands of third-tier Fafe.
A goal midway through the second half by João Batista proved the difference in a match between teams located just 25 kilometres away from each other. Fafe’s reward for the victory is another home tie against top-flight opposition in the shape of Arouca.
Another big shock saw fourth-tier Sintrense knock out first division outfit Rio Ave. Marc Gual put the Vila do Conde side ahead, but the magnificently named Henrique Henriques equalised before half time, before two quick-fire goals by Valdu Té gave the hosts a 3-1 lead.
A late goal by Karem Zoabi proved too little too late for Rio Ave who are eliminated from the competition prematurely. Sintrense will travel to FC Porto in the fourth round.
In the third round of the Portuguese Cup top-flight clubs are obliged to play their ties away from home, and a total of five teams that play in the country’s top division fell out of the competition at the first hurdle: Estrela da Amadora, Alverca, Gil Vicente, Moreirense and Rio Ave.
In the tie of the day, Lisbon sides Belenenses and Estoril Praia went head-to-head at the Restelo, with young Estoril striker André Lacximicant proving the hero for the visitors, winning a penalty, converted by veteran Pizzi, and scoring the winner in stoppage time.
In between Eduardo Souza equalised for Belenenses and the hosts had a glorious chance to win it in stoppage time but substitute João Machado fired over the bar. Moments later 24-year-old Lacximicant scored the decisive goal.
Fourth round draw:
AC Vila Meã (CP) - Leixões SC (L2)
AD Fafe (L3) - FC Arouca (L1)
Atlético CP (L3) - SL Benfica (L1)
AVS (L1) - Académico Viseu FC (L2)
CD Tondela (L1) - Caldas SC (L3)
Estoril Praia (L1) - FC Famalicão (L1)
FC Alpendorada (CP) - Casa Pia AC (L1)
FC Porto (L1) - SU Sintrense (CP)
Lusitânia Lourosa FC (L2) - SCU Torreense (L2)
Santa Clara Açores (L1) - UF Comércio e Indústria (CP)
SC Braga (L1) - CD Nacional (L1)
SC Covilhã (L3) - Lusitano Évora C. (L3)
SC Farense (L2) - Silves FC (RD)
Sporting CP (L1) - AC Marinhense (CP)
SU 1.º Dezembro (L3) - UD Leiria (L2)
Vitória SC (L1) - Mortágua FC (CP)
L1: Liga Portugal
L2: Second Division
L3: Third Division
CP: Campeonato de Portugal (fourth tier)
Related: Pavlidis at the double as Benfica advance in Portuguese Cup against Chaves but Mourinho “not happy”
