Overview
- Benfica were eliminated after a 3-1 semifinal defeat to Braga, with goals by Pau Victor and Rodrigo Zalazar before Vangelis Pavlidis pulled one back and Gustaf Lagerbielke finished it; Nicolás Otamendi was sent off late.
- José Mourinho said "Benfica deserved to lose," pointing to poor ball possession, repeated turnovers, counters conceded, and what he called an unacceptable second goal.
- He recounted a dressing-room monologue with no player response and said he hopes his squad "do not sleep" as they reflect before discussions resume.
- Mourinho required the team to stay overnight at the Seixal complex and suggested they could remain there until facing Porto on Jan. 14.
- Reports disagree on the competition’s name, with some identifying the tie as the League Cup and others as the Portuguese Cup.