On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Benfica faced Tirsense in the second leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals at the iconic Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The match kicked off at 16:15 (Brasilia time) and was crucial for Tirsense, who were looking for a historic victory after suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat in the first leg. With the aggregate score heavily favoring Benfica, the odds were stacked against Tirsense, who entered the match knowing they needed an extraordinary comeback to advance to the final.
Benfica, under the guidance of coach Bruno Lage, came into the game riding a remarkable unbeaten streak of seven matches. Their last setback was against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the season. Currently, Benfica sits second in the Portuguese Championship with 72 points from 30 matches, boasting an impressive record of 23 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. The team has scored a total of 74 goals while conceding only 25, showcasing their offensive prowess.
For this match, Lage opted for a slightly rotated squad, likely to rest some key players for the league. The predicted lineup included Samuel Soares in goal, with a back line of Tiago Gouveia, Winder, Bajrami, and Dahl. Midfielders included Barreiro, João Rego, Nuno Félix, and Amdouni, with forwards Bruma and Belotti leading the attack.
Tirsense, on the other hand, was making history by reaching the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal for the first time in their history. The club, which plays in the Campeonato de Portugal, has had a challenging journey, having eliminated teams like Vieira, Caldas, Brito, and Rebordosa to reach this stage. Despite their underdog status, Tirsense was determined to put up a fight, knowing that a win would be a monumental achievement.
The Tirsense lineup featured Tiago Gonçalves in goal, supported by defenders Gonçalo Cardoso, João Pedro, Jorge Silva, and João Martins. The midfield consisted of Bruno Carvalho, Franco, José Pereira, Daniel Rodrigues, and Bernardo, with Alex Reis leading the attack. Unfortunately, Tirsense was missing key midfielder Bruno Carvalho due to injury, a significant blow to their chances.
As the match unfolded, Benfica began to assert their dominance early on, but Tirsense showed resilience, managing to hold them off for the first 30 minutes. Benfica struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Barreiro hitting the post early in the game. However, the breakthrough finally came in stoppage time of the first half when António Silva scored, giving Benfica a 1-0 lead just before the break.
With the momentum shifting, Benfica returned to the pitch with renewed energy in the second half. The home side began to create more opportunities, and it wasn’t long before they doubled their lead. Bajrami scored the second goal in the 74th minute, followed by Belotti's strike in the 78th minute, assisted by Tiago Gouveia, who was making his first start since April 22, 2024. Barreiro capped off the scoring with a goal in the 90+1 minute, sealing a 4-0 victory for Benfica.
The aggregate score of 9-0 over the two legs highlighted the stark difference in quality and experience between the two teams. Benfica’s comprehensive victory not only secured their place in the final of the Taça de Portugal but also set up an anticipated clash against their fierce rivals Sporting on May 25, 2025, at Jamor.
Despite the heavy loss, Tirsense’s journey in this tournament will be remembered fondly by their supporters. Coach Emanuel Simões, who took over the team earlier in the season, has instilled a sense of pride and determination in his players. The team’s performance in the Taça de Portugal has been a remarkable achievement, especially considering they are the first club from the fourth division to reach this stage of the competition.
Bruno Lage acknowledged the efforts of Tirsense, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their accomplishments despite the lopsided scoreline. Players like Jorge Silva and Daniel Rodrigues have shown potential that could see them rise to higher levels of competition in the future.
As the dust settles on this semi-final encounter, Benfica fans are left to celebrate their team’s return to the final after a four-year absence. The last time Benfica lifted the Taça de Portugal was in the 2016-17 season, and with only three trophies secured in the 21st century, the pressure is on the club to reclaim its status as a dominant force in Portuguese football.
For Tirsense, this match marked the end of their season, as they will not play again until the next Campeonato de Portugal season begins in 2025/26. The players will now reflect on their journey, hoping that this experience will propel them to greater heights in their football careers.
The excitement surrounding the upcoming final against Sporting promises to deliver a thrilling climax to the Taça de Portugal. As Benfica prepares to chase another title, Tirsense will undoubtedly carry the pride of their historic run in this prestigious tournament.
