FC Porto beat Leixões (2-1) and will be facing Sporting de Braga in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, played in two legs. The national champions were forced to do an extraordinary job at Estádio do Mar, against an opponent from League Ledman Pro, but managed to overcome the difficulties in the second-half of extra time.

Herrera scored the first of the match on minute 11. Leixões was able to score in the second-half, by Zé Paulo. In the last half of extra time, Hernâni scored the goal that gave the qualification

The debut of Pepe with the FC Porto shirt, on his return to the club, was the biggest highlight in the team sent in by Sérgio Conceição. The Portuguese international star had played his last match in blue and white on May 20, 2007. Matosinhos, almost twelve years, counted on the 90th presence of the blue and white team.

The national champions had seven changes in comparison to the classic against Sporting, with Mbemba on the right of the defence - a role he had taken on while at Newcastle - and Fernando Andrade was in the attack, in the starting team for the first time. The tactic used by Sérgio Conceição in the Portuguese Cup includes some preferential players: Fabiano, Felipe, Herrera, Adrián López and André Pereira started all four matches played in the competition so far.

Herrera and Óliver were again the two men in front of the defence and created the first goal of the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup. Óliver Torres, with a fantastic pass (6th assistance of the season), found Herrera in the area and, in a good move, opened the scoreboard: the midfielder controlled the ball with his right foot and shot with his left, scoring his 30th goal as a Dragon.

FC Porto moved ahead on minute 11, on a pitch in a mediocre condition. The home team tried to react, but was confronted with the defensive solidity of the national champions, based on the good teamwork between Felipe and Pepe, with Mbemba and Alex Telles on the sides. Fabiano had little to do in the first-half.

On the other side of the pitch, Fernando Andrade wasted two good opportunities to increase the blue and white advantage. The forward, recently signed from Santa Clara, did a good job winning space in the area, 17 minutes in, but shot outside the post. Close to the break, receiving a great pass from Adrián López, he shot over the bar.

Leixões increased the pressure in the second-half, with FC Porto not returning as consistent as in the first-half. Before being replaced, Corona came up in good position, but lost room to move after Bura touched the ball. In the reply, the home team tied the match, thanks to an inspired shot from Zé Paulo (78m). The Brazilian forward had some space in front of goal and shot to the far post, out of Fabiano’s reach.

Sérgio Conceição reacted immediately and sent in Tiquinho Soares, in an attempt to avoid extra time. 82 minutes in, after a first header from Felipe, Soares failed to put it in. Shortly after, Marega also went in to increase the attacking power of the Dragons, but extra time did come.

The national champions were forced to work for another 30 minutes, and watched as a perfectly legal goal by Soares was disallowed, and that was already after Fernando Andrade saw a defender touch the ball with his hand. 101 minutes in, Luís Ribeiro saved a header from Marega. Picking up the spare, Soares, in legal position, made it count, but the referees saw an off-side.

Showing complete dominance during extra time, FC Porto created several opportunities to decide the match. The home goalkeeper started by stopping the shot from Herrera and prevented the 1-2, in an attempt from Hernâni. And the winger would, however, be the one to decide the match, 118 minutes in, following a pass from Adrián López.

FC Porto moves on to the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup and will be facing Sporting de Braga. The next round will be played in two legs, provisionally scheduled for February 6, at Estádio do Dragão, and April 3, at Estádio Municipal de Braga.