Real — Academica: 1:4, Taça de Portugal

Academia beat Real 4-1 in the Round of 128 of the Portuguese Cup on Thursday evening at the Estádio do Real. The away side took control early and never looked back, knocking out the higher-ranked hosts with a performance that combined efficiency and patience. By then, the tie had been settled long before the final whistle.

Academia struck first through A. Coundoul in the eighth minute, a moment that shifted everything. K. Zohi doubled the lead before half-time with a well-taken goal in the thirty-fourth minute. C. A. Acosta Pinerez extended the advantage shortly after the break, and Coundoul added his second in the fifty-eighth minute. I. Faure completed the scoring with a late goal in stoppage time.

Real had more possession but lacked the edge to convert it. They registered 42 per cent of the ball but only four shots on target from eight attempts. Academia, with 58 per cent possession, were sharper with eight shots on target and a 50 per cent accuracy rate. The hosts managed 103 attacks compared to 110 for the visitors, but it was quality over quantity that decided matters.

The result ended Real's run of positive results. They had won three and drawn two in their last five matches, including a 3-0 victory over Rio Grande and a 1-0 win against Sacavenense. Academia's recent form has been inconsistent — they lost 0-3 to Benfica B and 1-4 to Penafiel in their last two outings before this breakthrough.

Academia advance to the next round with momentum. Real's campaign comes to an abrupt end, and the disappointment will be compounded by how comprehensively they were outplayed despite having home advantage and superior resources on paper.