Sporting drew this Tuesday, at Estádio da Luz, with Benfica by two goals and guaranteed their place in the final of the Portuguese Cup in football. The lions had won in the first leg of the semi-finals (2-1) and are now waiting for the other finalist who will be decided between FC Porto and V. Guimarães.
Benfica started to put more pressure on, but it was Sporting who was the first to show a sign of danger, through Hjulmand. The Reds had two opportunities to score: Tengstedt shot at the post and Di María saw Franco Israel avoid the goal with a great save. But the break came with a blank marker.
In the second half, Alvalade’s team took the lead. In the 47th minute, Gyökeres appeared on the right and served Hjulmand’s shot from the edge of the area, with no chance for Trubin.
After just over five minutes, Neres worked well on the right side and crossed. Otamendi escaped Gyokeres’s marking and headed the Reds’ equalizer. But not two minutes later, Geny Catamo crossed, Trubin saved forward and Paulinho took advantage to make it 2-1.
In the 64th minute, David Neres, with his heel, served Bah, who crossed from the right to the second post. Rafa just had to pull over. Benfica pressed again, but Franco Israel secured the draw with a great save from Di María’s shot.
With a 4-3 tie result, Sporting, who have already won the competition on 17 occasions, the last in 2018/19, will face the winner of the second semi-final, between FC Porto and Vitória Sport Clube (this fourth Friday, at D. Afonso Henriques, and April 17, at Dragão).
Tags: Sporting Portuguese Cup final
