FC Porto claimed its third Continental Cup in rink hockey on Sunday with a 7-1 victory over Spain’s CE Lleida at the Pavelló Joan Ortoll in Calafell, as RTP reported.
FC Porto Secures Third Title
The victory matches Benfica’s total of three Continental Cup titles, placing both Portuguese clubs behind tournament record-holder FC Barcelona, which has 18 trophies, according to RTP. Lleida reached the final after eliminating Barcelona in the semi-finals, while Porto advanced past CE Calafell on penalties following a 2-2 draw. For FC Porto, the triumph echoes previous titles won in 2023 and 1986.
Rafa Costa opened the scoring for the visitors at the eight-minute mark when his cross-shot from the right hit the post and went in off the back of Lleida goalkeeper Xavi Bosch, RTP reported. Àlex Ortigosa equalized for the Spanish side three minutes later following a swift transition set up by team captain Jordi Badía.
⏸️ Intervalo na final da Taça Continental! 🔵⚪️FC Porto 3-1 CE Lleida 📺 Porto Canal e https://t.co/4OP1Afq7SJ#FCPortoHóquei pic.twitter.com/zVmcafLBzo
Porto restored its lead just 30 seconds later. Carlo Di Benedetto scored on the rebound after a long-range shot by Hélder Nunes struck the backboard, RTP reported. Telmo Pinto added a third goal before halftime with a diagonal shot from the left channel following a pass from behind the net by Nunes.
Second-Half Goleada in Calafell
Porto capitalized on a blue card shown to Lleida player Fabrizio Ciocale at the start of the second period. Nunes scored his first goal of the season at the 29-minute mark to make it 4-1, RTP reported.
Captain Gonçalo Alves extended the lead to 5-1 in the 34th minute after receiving a pass from Di Benedetto behind the goal. Di Benedetto then completed his hat-trick with goals at 38 and 40 minutes as the Spanish defense faded, RTP reported. Porto goalkeeper Xavi Malián preserved the six-goal margin late in the match by stopping a direct free kick from Darío Giménez.
“Penso que o resultado não reflete o jogo, porque o Lleida jogou bem e criou muitas oportunidades, mas nós fizemos as coisas bem e conseguimos levar o jogo para onde queríamos,” Carlo Di Benedetto told Record.
⏹️ Termina a partida no Pavilhão Joan Ortoll. 🏑 Sofia Moncóvio#HóqueiBenficaFem pic.twitter.com/zikCrwf0MU
Di Benedetto said that the victory caps a busy stretch that included a world title with France and the Elite Cup. Porto manager Paulo Freitas emphasized the physical toll of the schedule after the match.
“Fizemos o mais importante, que foi colocar mais um troféu no Museu do Clube,” Paulo Freitas told FC Porto, pointing to a stretch of six matches in 11 days.
“Foi uma grande vitória numa competição internacional em que estivemos presentes por mérito próprio depois da grande campanha na Liga dos Campeões na época passada,” Paulo Freitas told FC Porto.
“Muito orgulhoso do trabalho e do foco da equipa,” Paulo Freitas told FC Porto.
“Dedicamos esta conquista a todos os nossos adeptos,” Paulo Freitas told FC Porto.
Questions About the Domestic Return
Barcelona Returns to Domestic Play Against Tomar
The team returns to domestic league play on Wednesday at 21:00 against Tomar in the final match of the second round of the regular phase.
The club holds 12 international trophies in the discipline, including one Intercontinental Cup, four Champions Leagues, three Continental Cups, two Cup Winners’ Cups, and two WSE Cups, Observador reported.
FC Barcelona leads the historical standings with 18 trophies, followed by Liceo with six and Igualada with five.