Borges and Lage engage in a closely-fought contest, Lage acknowledges that the title won't guarantee their victory.
The Portuguese Football Cup's final is set for this Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the National Stadium of Jamor in Oeiras, pitting Benfica against Sporting CP. This is the first encounter between both teams in the competition's final since 1996, with Benfica emerging victorious by a 3-1 margin.
For Sporting CP, this fixture holds the potential to achieve the first double in over two decades. Coach Rui Borges believes that the match will be highly competitive, as it pits the league's top two teams against each other. The lions aim to secure their first double since the 2001/02 season, further cementing an already illustrious era. Sporting CP already boasts 17 cup victories, the last of which was in the 2018/19 season, and have reached the final for the second consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the game could determine the future of Benfica coach Bruno Lage. Lage expressed his ambition to win the Portuguese Cup title, but emphasized that it may not be sufficient to save the season. He acknowledged that the team consistently works with the utmost demand and commitment. The National Stadium becomes more than just a venue for Benfica this weekend, as it stands to either reinforce Lage's status or prompt his departure.
As record holders of titles in the Portuguese Cup, Benfica has 26 trophies to its name, but the last victory at Jamor occurred nearly a decade ago, during the 2016/17 season, with Rui Vitória at the helm. Benfica has faced challenges in the new millennium, making a victory on Sunday significant for the club's recent resurgence.
In summary, the 2025 Portuguese Cup final at the National Stadium of Jamor brings together two Lisbon giants in a highly anticipated showdown. Both coaches, Bruno Lage and Rui Borges, aim to lead their teams to success and leave lasting legacies in the Taça de Portugal. This encounter is not only about sports rivalry but also emotional farewells for key players, making it a memorable occasion in Portuguese football.
In the upcoming Portuguese Cup final, Sporting CP aims to win their first double in over two decades, as they compete against league rivals Benfica. With 17 cup victories already to their name, Sporting CP is set to challenge the record-holding Benfica, who have 26 Portuguese Cup titles, in the European football leagues.