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FC Porto and OC Barcelos Clash in Santo Tirso for the Elite Cup Final
FC Porto and OC Barcelos will contest the Elite Cup final this Sunday at 20:00 in Santo Tirso, a rematch of the tournament’s inaugural official title match in 2021, A Bola reported. The fixture follows Saturday’s semi-finals at the venue, where the northern side secured their place by defeating UD Oliveirense 4-2, while OC Barcelos eliminated reigning three-time champions Benfica.
Saturday’s semi-final encounters required decisive late performances from both finalists. FC Porto established a 2-0 lead by halftime against Oliveirense, with Carlo Di Benedetto opening the scoring in the 15th minute off an assist from Hélder Nunes, followed by a goal from Ezequiel Mena in the 21st minute. Oliveirense responded in the second half through Bruno Di Benedetto in the 28th minute and João Almeida in the 33rd minute, bringing the score level at 2-2. Mena restored the lead for the dragons in the 39th minute before a blue card shown to the Argentine forward created a difficult spell. Goalkeeper Xavi Malián delivered crucial saves under heavy pressure before Carlo Di Benedetto converted a direct free kick in the 49th minute to secure the 4-2 victory.
Semi-Final Upsets Set the Stage in Santo Tirso
In the earlier semi-final on Saturday, OC Barcelos overcame Benfica with a 2-1 victory, holding a 1-0 lead at halftime. The result ended Benfica’s reign as the winner of the competition’s last three editions. Reflecting on the semi-final win against Oliveirense, FC Porto coach Paulo Freitas described the performance as a just victory featuring quality, brilliance, and resilience. Conversely, Oliveirense coach Hugo Lourenço pointed to errors in the first 25 minutes where his team failed to match Porto’s defensive intensity, though he praised his players for fighting back to 2-2 in the second half.
The 2021 Final Precedent and Sunday’s Title Decider
Sunday’s encounter marks only the second time OC Barcelos and FC Porto will contest the Elite Cup trophy. Their previous final meeting occurred in 2021 during the tournament’s first official edition after its integration into the federation calendar, a match that ended in a 6-3 victory for the Minho side. Both clubs enter the 2026 final with one previous Elite Cup title each. The match will be broadcast via DAZN from Santo Tirso, with physical fatigue expected to influence the players following Saturday’s intense semi-final fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Elite Cup Final
Where is the 2026 Elite Cup final taking place?
The final is being held in Santo Tirso, matching the location of the tournament’s 2026 semi-finals.
Who won the 2021 Elite Cup final between these two teams?
OC Barcelos won the inaugural official tournament final in 2021 with a 6-3 victory over FC Porto.
How can viewers watch the match?
The title match is scheduled for Sunday at 20:00 and is broadcast live on DAZN.
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