And then there are 30: all of Sporting’s Portuguese Cup finals – Sporting

The history of the lions against possible opponents FC Porto and V. Guimarães

With 17 trophies in the competition, the lions are waiting for their opponent in the other semi-final, which will come from the duel between FC Porto and V. Guimarães (1st leg tonight and 2nd leg on the 17th). Whatever the outcome, the duel scheduled for Jamor, on May 26th, will mark the reunion of old acquaintances, some more than others, it is true, on the stage of the National Stadium.

Between finals and extra time

The history with FC Porto in the Cup final already includes five decisions, the most recent precisely the last time Sporting reached Jamor, in 2018/19.

Then, the game reached the end of regulation time (1-1) and extra time (2-2) tied, which forced a penalty shootout, with an advantage for the green and white teams (5-4). Tiquinho Soares (41′), Danilo Pereira (45′, pb), Bas Dost (101′) and Felipe (120’+1), at the bell, scored the goals in an electrifying classic.

Previously, lions and dragons had already faced each other on four more occasions, with two victories for each side and games always very balanced.

In 2007/08, Sporting won 2-0 but had to wait for extra time, where Rodrigo Tiuí played the role of an unlikely hero, with a brace (at 111′ and 117′).

In 1999/00, the balance tipped in favor of the blue and whites, at a time when there was still the option of a final. Thus, after the first game ended with a 1-1 draw after extra time (goals from Jardel, in the 4th minute, and Pedro Barbosa, in the 56th minute), in the second the Porto fans won 2-0 (Clayton scored, at 47′, and Deco, at 74′).

Going back to the first half of the 1990s, in 1993/94 it was also necessary to resort to the final and… extra time, this time after a 0-0 score in the first game. Rui Jorge (35′), Vujacic (55′) and Aloísio (91′, from a penalty) scored the goals at Jamor, where José Pratas sent off Peixe (91′) and Pacheco (103′) from the Leonine side.

The first of all finals between Sporting and FC Porto dates back to 1977/78 and ended in celebration for the Lisbon fans, not without great suffering: 1-1 in the first game, after extra time (goals from Fernando Gomes, at 48′, and from Paulo Menezes, at 49′), and 2-1 in the final (Vítor Gomes, at 55′, Manuel Fernandes, at 62′, and Seninho, at 80′).

Once without example

To find the only final ever between Sporting and V. Guimarães it is necessary to go even further back, to the beginning of the 1960s. It happened in 1962/63, when the lions clearly dominated and won 4-0, with a double of Figueiredo (25′ and 70′), plus two goals from Lúcio (73′) and Mascarenhas (87′).

Interestingly, in the semi-finals, Sporting had eliminated Benfica: they lost in the 1st leg by 1-0 but won in the 2nd by 2-0.

Benfica is the most repeated

In the 29 Cup finals already played, Luz’s rival is the most repeated opponent (eight times, with 2 wins and 6 losses). Followed by FC Porto (five), Belenenses (four), V. Setúbal and Boavista (two each). Olhanense, Atlético, V. Guimarães, Sp. Braga, Marítimo, Leixões, Académica and Aves are the remaining clubs that Sporting have already faced in the final of the premier competition.

By Vítor Almeida Gonçalves