Portuguese second-tier club Torreense has equaled its best performance in the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) this century, reaching the round of 16 in a campaign that echoes its history of cup upsets, including a memorable victory over powerhouse FC Porto decades ago.
Under coach Vítor Martins, the team secured its spot in the current season’s last 16. This marks the fourth time in the 21st century that Torreense has advanced this far in Portugal’s premier knockout competition.
Previous runs to the round of 16 in this century include the 2016-17 season, when they were a third-tier side under Rui Narciso. That campaign saw them eliminate top-flight Nacional da Madeira with a 1-0 victory before falling 2-3 at home to first-division club Chaves.
In the 2011-12 season, also playing in the third tier, Torreense reached the round of 16 led by coach Toni Pereira. They famously eliminated first-tier clubs Gil Vicente (1-0) and Rio Ave (3-2 after extra time) before a 1-2 away loss to then-second-division Moreirense ended their journey.
The first time Torreense made the round of 16 this century was in the 2010-11 season, shortly after returning to the third tier. Coached by Paulo Torres, their cup run concluded with a 0-2 defeat away to first-division side Vitória Guimarães.
The club’s most celebrated cup achievement, however, came in the 1998-99 season, when they were competing in a former third-tier competition. Torreense engineered one of the biggest shocks in Portuguese football history, eliminating then five-time national champions FC Porto with a solitary goal from Cláudio Oeiras at the Estádio das Antas.
That season, Torreense advanced to the quarterfinals. They were ultimately eliminated by first-division Vitória Setúbal in a replay, losing 0-3 after a 0-0 draw at home. The initial match was marred by a disallowed goal for Torreense, which would have sent them to the semi-finals.
Torreense also famously reached the final of the Taça de Portugal in the 1955-56 season, where they lost 0-2 to FC Porto.