Braga end Benfica run in Taca de Portugal

Benfica are out of the Taca de Portugal at the quarter final stage after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Braga after playing 120 minutes to a 1-1 draw. Benfica took an early lead on a Goncalo Guedes header but at the 30 minute mark, right back Alexander Bah lost his cool and took an idiotic red card for stomping on former Benfica midfielder Pizzi. Braga would then equalize just six minutes after the infraction as Al Musrati would tap in the ball at the far post after what looked like a harmless corner kick.

A game that Benfica started fluently until the red card was given would go into additional time as both clubs failed to score the rest of the way. Benfica would then be handed their second red card of the game when defender Morato received his second yellow with minutes remaining in additional time. The final whistle blew and the game would be heading to penalties...

Benfica would miss just one kick from the penalty spot as midfielder Fredrik Aursnes would be stopped by Braga keeper Matheus but it was more then enough with Braga converting all five of their kicks to advance to the Taca's semi-final stage. Braga continues to be a thorn in Benfica's side, having handed Benfica their only two losses of the current season, the first during league play at the end of 2022.

Benfica set for Taca de Portugal clash

Benfica are set to face Braga in the Taca de Portugal's quarter-final stage on Thursday as they look to advance in the competition and exact revenge on the only club that has defeated the Eagles under the guidance of Roger Schmidt this season. Benfica will visit Braga once again after suffering a 3-0 defeat in league play in their final game of the 2022 calendar year. A Benfica victory would see them move on and face the winner of Casa Pia or Nacional in the semi-finals.

Benfica with eye on Huracan midfielder

Benfica already have their eyes on another Argentinian midfielder in the summer according to reports out of Portugal to replace recently departed midfielder Enzo Fernandez who joined Chelsea on deadline day for a Premier League record breaking fee of €121M. The 21 year old Santiago Hezze who applies his trade with Huracan and appeared in 37 games across all competitions last season is that player and the Lisbon side seeks to make their move when the summer transfer window opens. Hezze is a product of the Huracan youth system who made his breakthrough with the main club during the 2020 season and is now a regular with the squad.