Benfica, leader of the I Liga, will visit Varzim, from Liga 3, this Tuesday in the round of 16 of the Portuguese Football Cup, trying to avoid another surprise from the poveiros, who already beat Sporting in this edition.
The ‘incarnated’ are trophy record holders (26), but they have not won the Portuguese Cup since 2016/17, facing Varzim, whose best performance was the presence in the semifinals of 1977/78, 1979/80 and 1984/85.
Benfica comes to this match after having returned to triumphs, at the home of Portimonense (1-0), which allowed it to consolidate the leadership of the I Liga, now with six points ahead of Sporting de Braga.
The ‘águilas’ and the ‘arsenalistas’, the only ones who have beaten Benfica this season, could face each other in the quarterfinals, if the Lisbon team beats Varzim and Braga beats Vitória de Guimarães on Wednesday.
The match between Benfica and Varzim is scheduled for 8:45 p.m., in Póvoa de Varzim, with the refereeing of Manuel Oliveira, from the Porto association.
The round of 16 program begins with the reception of Leixões, from the II Liga, against Famalicão, from the first division, in a match scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
The winner of this match will face BSAD, from II Liga, or Vilaverdense, from Liga 3, in the quarterfinals.
FC Porto, holders of the trophy, play at home against Arouca, also from the I Liga, on Wednesday.
Round of 16 program:
– Tuesday, 10 Jan:
Leixões (II) – Famalicão (I), 6:45 p.m.
Varzim (L3) – Benfica (I), 8:45 p.m.
– Wednesday, Jan 11:
Vilaverdense (L3) – BSAD (II), 2 pm.
National (II) – Rabo de Peixe (CP), 5:30 p.m.
Sporting de Braga (I) – Vitória de Guimarães (I), 6:45 pm.
Academic Viseu (II) – Beira-Mar (CP), 20:15.
FC Porto (I) – Arouca (I), 8:45 p.m.
– Thursday, January 12:
Vitória de Setúbal (L3) – Casa Pia (I), 19:45.
Source: TSF
