Porto refused to disappoint the home fans at the Estádio do Dragão, delivering a composed performance to defeat rivals Benfica 1-0 and secure their place in the final four of the 2026 Taca de Portugal.
The Dragons entered the match as the clear favorites given their unbeaten domestic form and seven-match winning streak. Francesco Farioli’s squad controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, and it didn’t take long for the pressure to pay off. In the 15th minute, Polish defender Jan Bednarek rose highest in the box to connect with a corner, powering a header past Anatoliy Trubin for the game’s only goal.
While Benfica managed several dangerous opportunities to equalize before the break, they were unable to capitalize. The second half proved to be a tactical, defensive struggle; Porto effectively killed the game’s rhythm, neutralizing Benfica’s attack and protecting their narrow lead until the final whistle.
With the victory, Porto added another chapter to their historic rivalry and kept their hunt for the cup alive. They will now face the winner of the February 4th matchup between Sporting CP and AVS Futebol SAD in the semifinals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Thanks for joining us!
Porto defeated Benfica in the 2026 Taca de Portugal quarterfinals and you lived every moment of this game with Bolavip.
Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!
End of the game!
Porto defeated Benfica 1-0 to reach the 2026 Taca de Portugal semifinals!!!
88'- Substitution in Porto (1-0)
Pepe was replaced by Stephen Eustaquio.
82'- Yellow card in Porto (1-0)
Gabri Veiga received a yellow card from the bench.
82'- Modification in Benfica (1-0)
Sidny Lopes Cabral left the field to make way for Franjo Ivanovic.
Advertisement
Advertisement
84'- Yellow card in Porto (1-0)
Rodrigo Mora received a yellow card.
74'- Modifications in both teams (1-0)
In Benfica, Gianluca Prestianni left the field to make way for Andreas Schjelderup. While in Porto, Jan Bednarek and Martim Fernandes were replaced by Alberto Costa and Alan Varela.
67'- Yellow card for both teams (1-0)
Porto's Pepe and Benfica's Tomas Araujo received a yellow card.
61'- Two modifications in Porto (1-0)
Gabri Veiga and Borja Sainz were replaced by Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes.
59'- Tomas Araujo almost find the equalizer! (1-0)
The Benfica midfielder unleashed a well-struck effort from the edge of the area, but the shot whistled just past Diogo Costa’s left post, nearly leveling the score.
Advertisement
Advertisement
55'- Slow start to the second half (1-0)
The second half has kicked off with a noticeably slower tempo. No dangerous scoring opportunities have developed so far, as Porto appear comfortable protecting their narrow lead. Benfica, on the other hand, will need to increase their intensity and apply more pressure if they hope to find an equalizer.
The second half is underway!
Porto and Benfica are already playing the second half!
End of the first half!
The first half at Estadio Dragao has finished!
45'+8- What a miss by Benfica! (1-0)
Diogo Costa stood tall with a massive save to deny Leandro Barreiro, only for Heorhiy Sudakov to send the ensuing rebound high over the crossbar.
46'+6- Yellow card in Porto (1-0)
Jan Bednarek received a yellow card.
Advertisement
Advertisement
45'+2- Yellow card for both teams (1-0)
Porto's Samu and Benfica's Pavlidis received a yellow card.
43'- First modification of the game (1-0)
Benfica's Richard Rios left the field injured, to make way for Heorhiy Sudakov.
38'- Veiga almost extends the lead! (1-0)
Following a brilliant team sequence, Gabri Veiga found space inside the box and fired a clinical strike that whistled just wide of Anatoliy Trubin’s right post.
25'- Another great chance for Benfica! (1-0)
Barreiro broke free for a dangerous run toward the Porto goal, but a desperate, lung-bursting recovery from Pepe thwarted the equalizer.
23'- Benfica almost score! (1-0)
Alexander Dedic let loose a powerful strike from outside the box, but the attempt cleared Diogo Costa’s crossbar.
Advertisement
Advertisement
18'- Porto nearly double the lead! (1-0)
Porto are relentless in attack, forcing a triple-save sequence where Anatoliy Trubin proved vital in preventing the home side from doubling their lead.
15'- GOOOOAAAAAL OF PORTO!!!! (1-0)
Bednarek scores the first goal of the game with a powerful header!!!
Tweet placeholder
10'- First chance of the game! (0-0)
Gianluca Prestianni had a major chance to open the scoring, but his strike sailed over Diogo Costa’s crossbar.
5'- Porto take the initiative (0-0)
In a sluggish opening, the home side is dominating possession as they look for a way to break into the opponent’s area.
GAME ON!
Porto and Benfica have kicked off the 2026 Taca de Portugal quarterfinal!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the pitch. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Benfica hold recent edge in head-to-head series
In the most recent chapter of Portugal’s greatest rivalry, Benfica hold the clear upper hand. Over the last five meetings across all competitions, the Eagles have secured three victories, while Porto have managed just a single win and one draw.
The recent history has been defined by lopsided results on both sides. Jose Mourinho’s Benfica side boasts two dominant 4-0 victories during this stretch. However, Porto still hold the claim to the most emphatic result of the era: a historic 5-0 shutout at the Dragao in March 2024 that remains fresh in the minds of both fanbases.
Benfica are here too!
Jose Mourinho's side wants to surprise Porto at home tonight.
Tweet placeholder
Porto arrive at the stadium!
Francesco Farioli's team is already at the Dragao Stadium!
Tweet placeholder
Benfica lineup confirmed!
This will be Benfica starting XI for today: Trubin; Dedic, T Araujo, A Silva, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Prestianni, Barreiro, Cabral; Pavlidis.
Tweet placeholder
Advertisement
Advertisement
Porto lineup confirmed!
This will be Porto starting team for O Clássico: Diogo Costa; Martim, Thiago Silva, Bednarek, Kiwior; Pablo, Froholdt, Gabri Veiga; Pepe, Borja Sainz, Samu.
Tweet placeholder
Today's referees
Fabio Verissimo has been appointed to officiate the quarterfinal clash between Porto and Benfica. He will be joined on the field by Pedro Martins and Hugo Marques, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Fabio Verissimo (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Martins (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Hugo Marques (POR)
Fourth Official: Miguel Nogueira (POR)
VAR: Luis Ferreira (POR)
VAR assistant: Nuno Eiras (POR)
Kick off time and where to watch
The clash between Porto and Benfica in the 2026 Taca de Portugal quarterfinals will kick off at 3:45 PM (ET).
Fubo will be the primary option to watch Porto vs Benfica in the USA. Other options are: Fanatiz, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, RTPi, beIN SPORTS XTRA, beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español and Tubi.
Porto and Benfica clash in 2026 Taca de Portugal quarterfinals
Welcome to our live blog of the Taca de Portugal, where Porto host Benfica in a O Clássico quarterfinal showdown, with both teams looking for a spot in the final four!
Stay with us for key information and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.
