Sporting Lisbon are the first team through to the Taça de Portugal final after knocking out Rio Ave with a 4–1 aggregate score (2–0 in the first leg on April 3 and 2–1 this Tuesday in the return leg). The Lisbon side now wait to see who they’ll face in the final — either Benfica or Tirsense — with Benfica holding a huge lead after a 5–0 win in the first leg.

Sporting dominate both legs

Sporting, who had already won 2–0 in the first leg, were once again the better team against Rio Ave, this time at the Estádio da Capital do Móvel in Paços de Ferreira. Gonçalo Inácio opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a nice assist from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who then got on the scoresheet himself with the second goal in the 51st minute.

Rio Ave, who were runners-up in 1984 and 2014, managed to pull one back in the 66th minute through Brazilian forward André Luiz, making it 2–1 on the night. But it wasn’t enough to turn things around.

Benfica in control ahead of second semifinal

The second semifinal will be played this Wednesday between Benfica, the most decorated club in the competition with 26 titles, and fourth-tier underdogs Tirsense. Benfica come in with a massive advantage after smashing them 5–0 in the first leg back on April 9 in Barcelos.

The big final of the Taça de Portugal is set for May 25 at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras, where Sporting will be gunning for another cup title.