CF Benfica cruise past Viana Alentejo to book Portuguese Cup progress

CF Benfica produced a polished performance to beat Viana Alentejo 3-0 in the Portuguese Cup on 31 August 2026. The hosts controlled the game from start to finish and packed their scoring into a decisive 15-minute spell, earning safe passage to the next round.

Match overview

Coming into the cup tie as strong favorites, CF Benfica wasted little time showing the difference in class. Their pressing game suffocated the lower-league visitors, and the only question was how many goals the home side would score. Viana Alentejo never stopped running, but their defensive approach could only hold out for so long.

Key moments

• Opening goal early in the first half: CF Benfica took the lead in the 14th minute when their winger cut inside and picked out a runner at the near post, who calmly steered the ball into the net.
• Second goal before halftime: A quick free kick caught out the Viana defense, and the striker finished clinically from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
• Third goal sealed the match: Just after the hour mark, a cross from the right was met by a powerful header at the far post, wrapping up a complete team performance.

Tactical story

CF Benfica dominated with a 4-3-3 formation that emphasized width and fast transitions. Their wingers isolated full-backs in one-on-one situations, and the midfielders got forward quickly to support attacks. When they lost the ball, they pressed immediately to prevent Viana Alentejo from mounting any sustained pressure. The visitors, playing on the counter, managed only a handful of half-chances and rarely tested the home goalkeeper.

Standout performers

The home side's attacking trio was in fine form, with goals coming from two different players. The wingers stretched the play effectively all match, and the defensive midfielder gave a masterclass in calm distribution. Viana Alentejo's goalkeeper was the busiest man on the pitch and made several good stops to keep the score respectable.

Season impact

Advancing in the Taça de Portugal carries both prestige and financial reward for CF Benfica. With the win, they move into the next round of the competition and gain valuable momentum for their league campaign. For Viana Alentejo, a memorable cup run came to an end, but their organization and effort will serve them well in their regional division fixtures.