Benfica advance to Taca da Liga semis as they look to defend title

Benfica opened the defense of their Taca da Liga title with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tondea in the quarter-final stage and will now move on to face Braga in the semi-finals, the same as it played out last season.

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 elections heading to a run off next Saturday

Benfica held a record setting election for President in which it failed to get a candidate over the 50% threshold that is required to become the club President for the next 4 years, setting up a run off on November 8.

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. 

Benfica can't win in Europe as slide continues

Benfica's UEFA Champions League campaign hit a new low this week, as they suffered a resounding 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James' Park. Harvey Barnes netted a brace, while Anthony Gordon added a third, exposing the Portuguese giants' defensive frailties under manager Jose Mourinho.

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.