FC Porto added the victory in the Portuguese Cup to the title of national champion. At Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, eleven true Dragons fought against everything and everyone, even after being down to ten. The 17th Portuguese Cup will be going to the blue and white museum thanks to two goals scored by Chancel Mbemba. The defender acted as a striker and had two strong headers, straight at the red nets. Talking after the match, the Congolese central defender addressed how the team took advantage of the opportunities created and defended the crest on the shirt.

Mbemba
“It was an important match. I want to thank all the fans. We played with a lot of passion from the start. We took our chances and did everything we could to score. It’s not easy, but I managed to take my opportunities and scored twice. After the red card, we were professional, we didn’t back down, we defended our shirt. We honoured the fans, the president and the club and we won.”

Danilo
“It's a very special feeling to get the double here. It was a cup we hadn’t won in a while and it’s always a good feeling. This medal means a season of a lot of suffering and commitment from this squad. It’s an exhausting victory, after we were down to ten men. We stayed focused, we knew we were going to win and the team spirit was worth a lot. We were playing well, even before the red card, we were very good. There were situations where we could have finished, but we couldn’t. After Luis was sent-off we knew it was going to be very difficult, but would succeed if we didn’t concede. The coach told us this at half-time, so we could be calm. If we scored, we wouldn’t lose the match, and that’s what happened.”

Pepe
“We were used to having our fans support us at Estádio do Dragão, and it was not possible here. We felt this anger inside, of not being able to feel their support. We went in well, because of that drive and anger that we had inside... for a group that worked like, it wouldn’t be fair to end with a defeat. The team showed great character after Luis was sent-off. We suffered together and we believed it was possible to win. With work and humility, things can be done. The drive of the group is fantastic, we didn’t stop during the pandemic. When we won the championship, we deserved it, we were a much better team in our matches. Tonight, outnumbered, we were a mature and intelligent team. Congratulations to all of us, it’s a double we were able to give to the fans.”

Otávio
“We deserved this Cup for a long time now, ever since the coach arrived. The referee could do whatever he wanted, we wouldn’t lose this match. We were very united and focused on this. The entire FC Porto universe deserves this. We played with ten and they played with three more. We were outnumbered by four or five, but we weren’t going to lose this match, it was written, so it only feels better like this. I have no words for the fans. We felt their support. At home they tried, but they weren’t allowed. We know we have to fight against everything and everyone, and that’s what we did.”