Sporting de Espinho eliminated by Santa Clara

Santa Clara, from the I Liga, today secured passage to the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, with a hard-fought victory against Sporting de Espinho, from the district, on penalties.

After a difficult game for Vasco Matos's team, goalkeeper Neneca ended up being the hero of the tie, saving two penalties, with Sidney Lima scoring the decisive one.

Sporting de Espinho started the match aggressively and managed to compete with the I Liga club on equal terms. In the 14th minute, Brazilian Wendel had the opportunity to open the scoring after appearing alone inside the six-yard box, but André Fonseca was alert and denied the goal.

Five minutes later, midfielder José Tavares failed to direct a header towards goal, before Ricardo Rodrigues had the first chance for the home team, with a powerful shot from outside the area, which ended up going over.

Santa Clara pressed harder in the second half but couldn't breach the defensive wall of the Aveiro Football Association club. In the 60th minute, Willy left Sporting de Espinho down to ten men after receiving his second yellow card, and just two minutes later, José Tavares hit the post in what was the best chance of the match.

Even with an extra player, the Azorean team was never able to threaten the opposing goal, and frustration began to grow among the players. Near the end of regulation time, Anthony Carter was sent off after assaulting the Espinho goalkeeper, leaving both teams with ten men going into extra time.

In the extra 30 minutes, Luquinhas had the opportunity to send Santa Clara to the next stage of the Portuguese Cup, after appearing alone in front of André Fonseca, but his shot went wide.

The fans tried to push the home team forward during the penalty shootout, but Neneca saved shots from Pedro Santos and Guerra to secure the Azorean victory, thus avoiding a true 'giant killer' in the third round of the Portuguese Cup.

Santa Clara, from the I Liga, today secured passage to the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, with a hard-fought victory against Sporting de Espinho, from the district, on penalties.

After a difficult game for Vasco Matos's team, goalkeeper Neneca ended up being the hero of the tie, saving two penalties, with Sidney Lima scoring the decisive one.

Sporting de Espinho started the match aggressively and managed to compete with the I Liga club on equal terms. In the 14th minute, Brazilian Wendel had the opportunity to open the scoring after appearing alone inside the six-yard box, but André Fonseca was alert and denied the goal.

Five minutes later, midfielder José Tavares failed to direct a header towards goal, before Ricardo Rodrigues had the first chance for the home team, with a powerful shot from outside the area, which ended up going over.

Santa Clara pressed harder in the second half but couldn't breach the defensive wall of the Aveiro Football Association club. In the 60th minute, Willy left Sporting de Espinho down to ten men after receiving his second yellow card, and just two minutes later, José Tavares hit the post in what was the best chance of the match.

Even with an extra player, the Azorean team was never able to threaten the opposing goal, and frustration began to grow among the players. Near the end of regulation time, Anthony Carter was sent off after assaulting the Espinho goalkeeper, leaving both teams with ten men going into extra time.

In the extra 30 minutes, Luquinhas had the opportunity to send Santa Clara to the next stage of the Portuguese Cup, after appearing alone in front of André Fonseca, but his shot went wide.

The fans tried to push the home team forward during the penalty shootout, but Neneca saved shots from Pedro Santos and Guerra to secure the Azorean victory, thus avoiding a true 'giant killer' in the third round of the Portuguese Cup.

Santa Clara, from the I Liga, today secured passage to the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, with a hard-fought victory against Sporting de Espinho, from the district, on penalties.

After a difficult game for Vasco Matos's team, goalkeeper Neneca ended up being the hero of the tie, saving two penalties, with Sidney Lima scoring the decisive one.

Sporting de Espinho started the match aggressively and managed to compete with the I Liga club on equal terms. In the 14th minute, Brazilian Wendel had the opportunity to open the scoring after appearing alone inside the six-yard box, but André Fonseca was alert and denied the goal.

Five minutes later, midfielder José Tavares failed to direct a header towards goal, before Ricardo Rodrigues had the first chance for the home team, with a powerful shot from outside the area, which ended up going over.

Santa Clara pressed harder in the second half but couldn't breach the defensive wall of the Aveiro Football Association club. In the 60th minute, Willy left Sporting de Espinho down to ten men after receiving his second yellow card, and just two minutes later, José Tavares hit the post in what was the best chance of the match.

Even with an extra player, the Azorean team was never able to threaten the opposing goal, and frustration began to grow among the players. Near the end of regulation time, Anthony Carter was sent off after assaulting the Espinho goalkeeper, leaving both teams with ten men going into extra time.

In the extra 30 minutes, Luquinhas had the opportunity to send Santa Clara to the next stage of the Portuguese Cup, after appearing alone in front of André Fonseca, but his shot went wide.

The fans tried to push the home team forward during the penalty shootout, but Neneca saved shots from Pedro Santos and Guerra to secure the Azorean victory, thus avoiding a true 'giant killer' in the third round of the Portuguese Cup.