Tirsense 0-5 Benfica: high-flying Eagles all but book Portuguese Cup final date
Benfica continued their scintillating form by thrashing Tirsense in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final, played in Barcelos on Wednesday night.
The team from the small northern town of Santo Tirso had done tremendously well to reach the last four of the competition, becoming the first fourth-tier club to do so in nearly 100 years of history of the Taça de Portugal.
However, as expected, the Primeira Liga leaders were far too strong for them, even with a second-string side selected by Bruno Lage.
Centre-back António Silva and midfielder Florentino Luís were the only two starters who had also been in the initial XI that beat Porto 4-1 at the Estádio do Dragão on Sunday night.
Some of Benfica’s lesser used players took advantage of the opportunity to impress, with Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni especially showing they could have a bright future at the club.
An own goal by João Pedro in the 16th minute set Benfica on their way, with the other goals scored by João Rego, Prestianni, Arthur Cabral and Schjelderup.
With the second leg at home in a fortnight’s time, Benfica fans can already start making plans for the final at Jamor on 25 May.
Sporting hold a two-goal advantage over Rio Ave in the other semi-final after the first leg, and as such it seems likely we will have the first Benfica v Sporting Portuguese Cup final for 30 years.
By Tom Kundert