Porto Honours Jorge Costa With League Start Victory
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Sports
Portuguese Cup: Porto Conquer Benfica in Classic to Reach Semi-Finals
18 JAN, 2026
Bruno Oliveira
The Dragons claim a crucial 1-0 victory over their fiercest rivals at the Estádio do Dragão, delivering a tactically astute performance to secure their place in the final four.
FC Porto secured their place in the Taça de Portugal semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica at a packed Estádio do Dragão, courtesy of Jan Bednarek's early header. In a classic decided by fine margins, Francesco Farioli's side delivered a disciplined, tactically astute performance reminiscent of José Mourinho's own pragmatic philosophy; absorbing pressure, staying compact, and capitalizing on a crucial set-piece moment.
The victory represents a significant milestone in Porto's cup campaign this season, as the Dragons continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts while battling for domestic supremacy. Having navigated earlier rounds with a mix of rotation and intensity, Farioli's men knew that reaching the final four would require their most complete performance yet—and they delivered exactly that against their fiercest rivals.
The Estádio do Dragão was absolutely packed for this classic encounter, with every seat occupied and the atmosphere crackling with anticipation from hours before kickoff. Porto supporters filled the stadium with chants, flags, and an impressive choreography that painted all stands in the club's iconic blue and white colors.
The Dragão filled to capacity with a stunning blue-and-white choreography across the stands before kickoff.
Francesco Farioli deployed a solid 4-3-3 formation with experience at the back: Bednarek, Thiago Silva (debut), and Kiwior forming a rock-solid defensive trio; and dynamism in midfield through Gabri Veiga and Pablo Rosario, tasked with controlling tempo and transitions. The inclusion of Pepê and Borja Sainz on the flanks provided width and pace for counter-attacks, while Samu led the line with physicality and pressing intensity.
José Mourinho's Benfica started cautiously, probing with Gianluca Prestianni creating an early chance that tested Porto's defensive organization. The tactical battle was fascinating: Mourinho's pragmatic approach met Farioli's high-intensity pressing game, and it was the home side that blinked first in establishing dominance—both territorially and emotionally, feeding off the energy cascading from the stands.
Tactical Chess: Farioli vs Mourinho.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute from a set-piece routine that Porto had clearly worked on in training. After two previous attempts to find the right delivery, Gabri Veiga whipped in a dangerous corner toward the near post, where Bednarek had ghosted ahead of Barreiro to meet the ball with a powerful downward header that left Trubin with no chance.
The Polish defender wheeled away in celebration, arms outstretched, as the Dragão erupted in a cacophony of noise and emotion. It was a goal that combined intelligent movement, precise delivery, and clinical execution; exactly the kind of moment that decides tight knockout matches.
Bednarek celebrates the opening goal with teammates as the crowd behind him explodes: the moment that sealed Porto's path to the semi-finals.
From that point forward, Porto could manage the game on their terms: dropping deeper when necessary to protect the lead, then springing forward on the counter whenever Benfica committed numbers forward. The tactical discipline required to execute this game plan would be tested repeatedly over the remaining 75 minutes, but Porto's experience in big matches proved invaluable.
The second half saw Benfica dominate possession statistics while Porto remained compact and dangerous on the break. Trubin was forced into excellent saves to deny Gabri Veiga and Borja Sainz as the Dragons threatened to kill the tie on the counter, while Martim Fernandes pushed forward from right-back to offer an additional attacking outlet.
Gabri Veiga, Borja Sainz and Pepê break forward at pace with space to exploit.
The defensive organization that Farioli has instilled in his squad was on full display: pressing triggers activated when Benfica tried to play through the middle, defensive lines shifting as a unit to deny space in behind, and covering runs that prevented dangerous crosses from reaching their targets.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Mourinho threw caution to the wind by introducing Ivanovic alongside Pavlidis in a desperate attempt to salvage the tie. The gamble nearly paid off in the most dramatic fashion imaginable: Schjelderup worked brilliantly down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, where Pavlidis somehow failed to make contact from point-blank range—a miss that drew gasps from both sets of supporters.
It was the kind of chance that strikers are expected to convert, and the Greek forward's failure to do so essentially sealed Benfica's fate. The final whistle blew moments later, releasing all the tension that had built up over 90-plus minutes of intense football.
Joy on the pitch as Farioli embraces his team and the group thanks the fans.
Players embraced, Farioli celebrated with his coaching staff, and the entire squad made their way to the Super Dragões section to thank the supporters who had pushed them through the difficult moments.
Individuals
For Bednarek, it was another big-game performance to add to his growing collection this season — a Sheriff-like display of defensive authority capped with the decisive goal. But the triumph belonged to the collective: a team that showed maturity, tactical intelligence, and the mental strength to withstand sustained pressure from one of Portugal's elite sides.
Porto's number 5, Polish defender Jan Bednarek.
Another deserving special mention was Thiago Silva's Porto debut in the heart of defense. The Brazilian legend, at 42 years old, showcased exactly why Farioli pursued his signature: composure under pressure, intelligent positioning, and leadership that organized the defensive line throughout the 90 minutes. For a player making his first appearance in Porto colors, doing so in a classic against Benfica at a packed Dragão could hardly have been more symbolic.
Thiago Silva with his 'First Match' commemorative shirt.
Victor Froholdt, Porto's rising midfield sensation.
Samu Aghehowa battles with Tomás Araújo.
Porto's journey to the semi-finals continues their pursuit of the Taça de Portugal trophy, a competition that represents a genuine opportunity for silverware this season. With home advantage, tactical flexibility under Farioli, and a squad battle-hardened through domestic and European competition, the Dragons will fancy their chances of going all the way. Nights like this one, where passion, tactics, and individual moments of quality combined to perfection, suggest they have exactly what it takes.
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