FC Porto headed to Estádio Nacional this weekend with a view to adding the Taça de Portugal to their Primeira League title, for what would be a very welcome domestic double. Standing in their way were recently relegated Tondela, looking to end an otherwise disappointing campaign on a high.
It’s that time of the season where every game seemingly has huge stakes, and there are none more so than all the finals that are taking place. It all comes down to that one match, where there inevitably can only be one winner. All that graft, sweat, tears; all for one shot to take home silverware. A grand stage was set at the Estádio Nacional, and to say the recently crowned Primeira Liga champions were heavy favourites going into the final would’ve been something of an understatement. But this is football, and as we all know, anything can happen on the day.
Sadly for Tondela however, who suffered an agonising relegation on the last day of the season, there was to be no fairytale ending to their campaign, Os Dragões proving to be just too strong on the day. Mehdi Taremi opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, despite Tondela’s defensive setup, converting from the spot after a lengthy VAR check. The second half saw Porto’s pressure continue, Vitinha firing a low shot home to double his side’s lead.
In the 73rd minute Tondela rekindled their supporters hopes and dreams and stunned the watching crowd when Salvador Agra’s cross was met by a bullet header from full back Neto Borges. The comeback and the dreams lasted mere seconds however, as Taremi made it 3-1 with Porto’s next attack, coolly slotting past Niasse after a superb lofted through ball from Otávio. And so it ended, Sérgio Conceição’s side closing out a memorable campaign in front of their rapturous fans.
Photography by Andre Alves for SoccerBible.
