The "O Clássico" rivalry enters a high-stakes knockout phase as Sporting CP and FC Porto face off in the Taça de Portugal Semi-Finals. As the two most dominant forces in Portuguese football this season, this two-legged tie is effectively a final before the final.
For fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland, every minute of this historic clash is available exclusively on TrillerTV+.
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Match Details: 1st Leg
- Match: Sporting CP vs FC Porto
- Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
- Kick-off: 20:45 GMT (Local) / 8:45 PM GMT
The Journey to the Semi-Finals
Sporting CP: The Defending Champions
The "Lions" are on a quest to defend their 2025 title. Their path has been defined by late-game heroics and tactical flexibility under coach Rui Borges:
- Quarter-Final: Secured a thrilling 3-2 win (AET) over AVS. After a 2-2 deadlock in regulation, Geny Catamo became the hero with a 117th-minute strike.
- Round of 16: A grueling 3-2 win (AET) away at Santa Clara.
- Early Rounds: Professional victories over Marinhense (3-0) and Paços de Ferreira (3-2 AET).
FC Porto: The League Leaders
The "Dragons" enter the semi-finals as the most in-form team in Portugal, currently leading the Primeira Liga. Their cup run has been clinical:
- Quarter-Final: A statement 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Estádio do Dragão, knocking out their biggest rivals thanks to a 15th-minute header from Jan Bednarek.
- Earlier Rounds: Dominant performances including a 4-1 win over Famalicão and a 3-0 shutout against Sintrense.
The Rivalry & Head-to-Head
This is the 253rd competitive meeting of "O Clássico." While Porto holds the slight historical edge, recent encounters have been incredibly tight.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Encounters:
- Feb 9, 2026: FC Porto 1–1 Sporting CP (Primeira Liga)
- Aug 30, 2025: Sporting CP 1–2 FC Porto (Primeira Liga)
- May 25, 2025: Benfica 1–3 Sporting CP (Taça de Portugal Final) — Sporting crowned champions.
- Feb 7, 2025: FC Porto 1–1 Sporting CP (Primeira Liga)
- Jan 7, 2025: Sporting CP 1–0 FC Porto (Taça da Liga Semi-Final)
The Rivalry & Head-to-Head
Sporting CP
- Luis Suárez: The Colombian striker is the tournament's focal point, currently leading the club with 27 goals across all competitions this season.
- Morten Hjulmand: The captain and midfield general. His ability to disrupt Porto's transitions will be the key to Sporting's defensive success.
- Geny Catamo: The "Clutch" specialist. Fresh off his winning goal in the quarter-final, his pace on the counter is a nightmare for tired defenders.
FC Porto
- Samu Aghehowa: A physical powerhouse and Porto's top scorer (20 goals). His duel with Gonçalo Inácio will be the battle of the night.
- Diogo Costa: Widely regarded as one of the world's best, the Porto captain's shot-stopping was the only reason they survived the Benfica onslaught in the previous round.
- Jan Bednarek: The defensive hero from the Quarter-Final. His aerial dominance at both ends of the pitch makes him a constant set-piece threat.
