The Portuguese Cup draw took place this Monday at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras and involved 32 teams. It has given SC Braga a Minho derby with V. Guimarães in the next round, while Benfica and Sporting CP were placed on separate routes through the bracket.
Braga's derby and domestic form
Braga are the only top-flight side to draw another top-flight opponent at this stage, which makes the meeting with V. Guimarães the clearest standout tie in the round of 32. They arrive there after a mixed league start, with 11 points from 9 matches and a run of LLLDW in the league. That is enough to make the cup route matter in a different way from the league table.
Benfica, Sporting and Torreense on separate paths
Benfica's side of the bracket gives them a route that already points towards Aves SAD or Tondela in the round of 16, while Sporting or União da Serra would meet Atlético or Casa Pia if they progress. Torreense, the holders, were also drawn into the round of 32 against Benfica, and the next round is already mapped out further down the bracket.
The five Portuguese clubs in European competition are FC Porto, Sporting CP, Benfica, SC Braga and Torreense. The round of 32 is scheduled for the weekend of 21 and 22 November, and the round of 16 should follow between 15 and 17 December, although those dates may change depending on European involvement.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
