.jpg "Benfica advance to Taca da Liga semis as they look to defend title")
The Final Four of the competition will be played once again in Leiria with Benfica and Braga going head to head on January 6, 2026 for a place in the Finals on the Saturday of January 10.
Benfica got goals from captain Otamendi who converted a goal from the penalty spot in the first half, while Dodi Lukebakio and Vangelis Pavlidis cemented the victory with a pair of goals in the final twelves minutes of the game.
Benfica will be looking to capture their ninth Taca da Liga this season
Benfica club support members (socios) set an all time record with just over 85,000 supporters casting a ballot in the election yesterday. Current Benfica President led the way in support but garnered only 42.1% of the votes a massive drop from 2021 in which he captured 84.8% of members ballots.
Finishing in second was Joao Noronha Lopes who captured 30.2% of supporters votes, while former Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira finished a distant third with just 13.8% of votes cast his way.
Costa and Lopes will now have two weeks to get the support of the 27+% of voters that they did not receive in the first round of elections in hopes of reaching the 50% required mark to be named the club President.
Mourinho lamented his team's lack of "horsepower" to compete, admitting Newcastle were simply too strong. This marks Benfica's third consecutive loss in the 2025-26 league phase, leaving them pointless and languishing near the bottom of the standings.
With just two goals scored and seven conceded in their three games, the Eagles' attack has been toothless, plagued by injuries and even fatigued from their domestic commitments. Fans have grown restless as Benfica face a daunting run ahead: home to Bayer Leverkusen, away at Ajax, and clashes with Napoli, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
With Presidential elections coming this weekend, the club may go into their next Champions League game with a new club President if polls are to be believed but that will have no effect on Benfica's European dreams, which are fading fast. Mourinho has a demanding task as he looks to revive the club and salvage pride.
Benfica coming off a 3rd round Taca de Portugal 2-0 win Friday over Chaves have learned their opponents in the 4th round of the competition as they get set to face city rivals Atletico who defeated Felgueiras 1932 by the same 2-0 score yesterday.
The 4th round matchup is set to take place on November 22 with Atletico as the assigned home club. You would have to go all the way back to the time of Eusebio in the 1960's for the last time these two clubs went head to head in a competitive game.
Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis stole the show, netting both goals. He opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a clinical finish from close range, capitalizing on a swift counterattack led by Georgiy Sudakov and then made it two at the 79 minute mark.
Chaves, from the second division, struggled to contain Benfica's attacking flair, with Dodi Lukebakio and Joao Rego creating constant threats. Despite some resilient defending from the Chaves backline they could not keep Benfica off the scoresheet.
Benfica will now await to find out their opponents in the fourth round as they will face the victors of Atletico and Felgueiras.
Benfica last played a competitive game on October 5 when they traveled to Porto to take on their league rivals in what turned out to be a scoreless Classico. Benfica are hoping to capture their first Taca de Portugal since 2017 and their 27th trophy title in the competition.
Last season Benfica made their way to their first final since 2021 but lost to cross town rivals Sporting 3-1 in additional extra time. Benfica have lost their last three final appearances, one each to Sporting, FC Porto and Braga.
The transfer includes a €6.75 million loan fee, €20.25 million for the permanent switch and up to €5 million in add-ons, potentially totaling €32 million, which would become a record signing for Benfica, while Shakhtar would retain 25% of his rights towards a future sale.
Sudakov's career began in Ukraine's youth systems, joining Sokil Brianka (2013–2014) and Metalist Kharkiv (2014–2017) before entering Shakhtar's academy in 2017.
He debuted for Shakhtar's senior team in 2020 and had amassed 148 appearances across all competitions, scoring 35 goals while providing 26 helpers.
Since joining Benfica, Sudakov has hit the ground running, scoring 2 goals in 5 league games and totaling 7 appearances with 2 goals and an assist up to this months international break.
His arrival bolsters Benfica's attack, especially after a challenging start to the season. Fans are buzzing about his potential to shine in the Portuguese League and Europe. With Ukraine's national team duties adding to his profile, Sudakov's Benfica chapter should provide fireworks as he looks to grow his pedigree.
Benfica club regulations state that the elected President requires 50% of the popular vote before they can be named President of the club, so if no candidate reaches that mark on the 25th, than there will be a run off between the top two vote getters.
Noronha Lopes has become very popular with the younger members of the club who are looking for a new direction and a clean break from the Luis Filipe Vieira era. While older voters and those less likely to answer polls lean towards Rui Costa continuing as the clubs head.
Speaking of Luis Filipe Vieira, it looks like club members have had enough of the former Benfica President as based on poll results he sits a distance fourth with under 10% of the popular vote. Now what would a change at the top mean for newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho? I guess we will have to wait for election day to find out.
Benfica delivered a defensive masterclass that frustrated Porto but left a lot to be desired in a game that lacked much flair even though it was a highly intense affair that saw eight yellow cards issued amid heated exchanges between the players.
The Porto faithful pelted the field with objects, many aimed at former club manager Mourinho, while they branded signs in the stands showing their disdain with his choice to join their rivals.
Porto held possession for the majority of the game but managed only two shots on target, doubling Benfica's one.
The first half was sluggish and foul-ridden, with no shots on goal until Georgiy Sudakov's 30th minute strike was palmed away by Diogo Costa. While Porto's Rodrigo Mora almost stole all three points in the second half, when his stoppage time curl rattled the crossbar.
Porto remains in top spot after eight weeks of action, four points ahead of third place Benfica who have yet to find their groove under Mourinho's guidance. Benfica will return to action on the 17th of the month when they enter the 3rd round of the Taca de Portugal against Chaves.
His contract runs until June 2026, but sources indicate he has no intention of extending it, paving the way for a possible free transfer next summer or even a January exit if negotiations align. Enter Benfica, the Portuguese giants now led by Jose Mourinho, Benzema's former coach at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.
The pair enjoyed success together, with Benzema crediting Mourinho for elevating his game. Rumors suggest Mourinho is keen on reuniting with the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner to bolster Benfica's attack, which has shown vulnerabilities throughout this campaign.
Benfica's interest stems from needing a proven goalscorer for their Portuguese League title push and Champions League aspirations. However, challenges abound. At 37, Benzema's age and hefty €100 million annual salary at Al-Ittihad pose financial hurdles for Benfica, who aren't among Europe's richest clubs.
Mourinho has publicly downplayed the speculation, stating Benzema is "settled" in Saudi, but insider reports hint at interest behind the scenes. Benfica's chances? Moderate at best of acquiring Benzema unless he prioritizes European competition over money, only time will answer that question.
Despite maintaining strong possession numbers and creating several chances, the Eagles couldn't find the net, leaving them with zero points from their first two group stage matches of the competition. The performance was scrappy at best as Chelsea barely threatened, yet Benfica's finishing woes and defensive lapse proved costly on the night.
Mourinho, ever the tactician, will be frustrated; his side looked organized but lacked the killer instinct. This loss piles pressure on their European campaign, especially with tougher fixtures on the horizon.
Questions are swirling about the squad's depth and whether summer signings have gelled enough to compete at this level. But there will be no time to dwell as Benfica turns their focus to domestic matters with a blockbuster Portuguese League clash against arch-rivals FC Porto on Sunday at Estadio do Dragao.
A win here could reignite Benfica's title charge and boost morale after the Chelsea setback. Expect a high intensity game with Porto's attacking flair versus Benfica's resilient defense. If Benfica channels their frustration into focus, they could snatch some vital points away from the league leaders, so fans should buckle up as this weekend's derby might just define their season.