Jesualdo Ferreira's Porto rejoice as they defeated defending cup-holders Sporting on penalties and now safely advance the next round Taça de Portugal, a title that has alluded them the previous two seasons.The match was a spirited affair with fourteen yellow cards as proof that the rivalry is as strong as ever. Tackles were rock-solid hard and intent for victory were sealed in the faces of both clubs but it would be Porto that would leave Estádio José Alvalade as victors. While it should be without surprise, the Dragões saved their most
intense performance this season for Sporting and gave it their all in a slug-fest. Sporting opened up the scoring a minute before the half-hour mark as their great striker Liedson preyed upon a poor defending clearance and headed the ball in. Making a name for himself amongst loyal supporters, ex Tokyo Verdy-man Hulk drew the match level just before the hour mark with a clever run he finished off with powerful strike. Beyond the score-sheet there was the brilliance work of Helton between the pipes and if it wasn't for his virtuoso performance the match wouldn't have went to added-time. Still through one-hundred twenty minutes a deciding goal couldn't be 
had and the match went down to an penalty shoot-out. Things appeared bleak for Porto as Lucho González' effort was off but through the skill of Helton shutting off Sporting's attempt, Porto took the match and moves on towards the title.SPORTING: Rui Patrício; Abel, Caneira, Polga and Miguel Veloso; Rochemback; João Moutinho, Romagnolli (Pedro Silva, 65m) and Izmailov (Tiuí, 119m); Postiga (Yannick, 82m) and Liedson
F.C. PORTO: Helton; Jorge Fucile (Lino, 100m), Rolando, Bruno Alves and Pedro Emanuel «cap»; Lucho González, Fernando and Raul Meireles (Rodríguez, 55m); Lisandro López, Hulk and Mariano González (Tomás Costa, 46m)
