 | |
| Organising body | Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Region | Portugal |
| Number of teams | 8 (2020–21 season) |
| Current champions | Sporting CP (3rd title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Benfica (7 titles) |
| Television broadcasters | SIC (final) Sport TV |
| Website | Taça CTT |
 2020–21 Taça da Liga | |
The Taça da Liga (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtasɐ dɐ ˈliɣɐ]), known outside Portugal as Portuguese League Cup, is an annual football club competition organised by the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional (LPFP) for teams competing in the Primeira Liga and LigaPro, the top two tiers of Portuguese football.[1] Unlike the French and English league cups, the winners do not qualify for European competitions.
The Taça da Liga was established in the 2007–08 season, thus becoming the third official competition for professional clubs in Portugal,[1] after a proposal by Sporting and Boavista was approved by LPFP members on 28 November 2006. For sponsorship reasons, it is currently known as Allianz Cup (with the English word cup).
Benfica are the most decorated team, having won a record seven trophies (four consecutively). The current holders are Sporting who defeated Braga in the 2021 final to secure their third title in the competition, making Sporting the second most successful club in the competition after Benfica.
Format
The Taça da Liga format has suffered changes throughout the competition's history in order to increase the number of matches and also revenue for both clubs and LPFP. Since the 2015–16 season, the approved format is the following:
- First round – One-legged ties between all Segunda Liga teams (except reserve or B teams), with the winner advancing to the next round. In case of an odd number of participating teams, one team receives a bye to the next round.
- Second round – One-legged ties between the first-round winners, the twelve Primeira Liga teams ranked 5th–16th in the previous season, and the two teams promoted from the Segunda Liga. The winner advances to the next round.
- Third round – Four groups of four teams played in a single round-robin format, each containing three second-round winners and one of the four top-placed Primeira Liga season teams of the previous season. The group winners advance to the next round.
- Knockout phase – Semi-finals and final played as one-legged fixtures played in a neutral ground.
Finals
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Vitória de Setúbal | 0–0 (3–2 p) | Sporting CP | 22 March 2008 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé | |
| 2008–09 | Benfica | 1–1 (3–2 p) | Sporting CP | 21 March 2009 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé | |
| 2009–10 | Benfica (2) | 3–0 | Porto | 21 March 2010 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé | |
| 2010–11 | Benfica (3) | 2–1 | Paços de Ferreira | 23 April 2011 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra | |
| 2011–12 | Benfica (4) | 2–1 | Gil Vicente | 14 April 2012 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra | |
| 2012–13 | Braga | 1–0 | Porto | 13 April 2013 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra | |
| 2013–14 | Benfica (5) | 2–0 | Rio Ave | 7 May 2014 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria | |
| 2014–15 | Benfica (6) | 2–1 | Marítimo | 29 May 2015 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra | |
| 2015–16 | Benfica (7) | 6–2 | Marítimo | 20 May 2016 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra | |
| 2016–17 | Moreirense | 1–0 | Braga | 29 January 2017 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé | |
| 2017–18 | Sporting CP | 1–1 (5–4 p) | Vitória de Setúbal | 27 January 2018 | Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga | |
| 2018–19 | Sporting CP (2) | 1–1 (3–1 p) | Porto | 26 January 2019 | Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga | |
| 2019–20 | Braga (2) | 1–0 | Porto | 25 January 2020 | Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga | |
| 2020–21 | Sporting CP (3) | 1–0 | Braga | 23 January 2021 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria | |
| Upcoming finals | ||||||
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Date | Venue | |
| 2021–22 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria | |||||
| 2022–23 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria | |||||
Performance by club
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning years | Runner-up years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benfica | 7 | 0 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 | — |
| Sporting CP | 3 | 2 | 2018, 2019, 2021 | 2008, 2009 |
| Braga | 2 | 2 | 2013, 2020 | 2017, 2021 |
| Vitória de Setúbal | 1 | 1 | 2008 | 2018 |
| Moreirense | 1 | 0 | 2017 | — |
| Porto | 0 | 4 | — | 2010, 2013, 2019, 2020 |
| Marítimo | 0 | 2 | — | 2015, 2016 |
| Paços de Ferreira | 0 | 1 | — | 2011 |
| Gil Vicente | 0 | 1 | — | 2012 |
| Rio Ave | 0 | 1 | — | 2014 |
Participating clubs
| Team | City | Years | First season | Last season | Titles | Runners-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benfica | Lisbon | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | Sporting CP | Lisbon | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Braga | Braga | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | Vitória de Setúbal | Setúbal | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Moreirense | Moreira de Cónegos | 10 | 2011 | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Porto | Porto | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Marítimo | Funchal | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Paços de Ferreira | Paços de Ferreira | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Rio Ave | Vila do Conde | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Gil Vicente | Barcelos | 12 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | Estoril | Estoril | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Vitória de Guimarães | Guimarães | 14 | 2008 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Académica | Coimbra | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Desportivo das Aves | Vila das Aves | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Feirense | Santa Maria da Feira | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Leixões | Matosinhos | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nacional | Funchal | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Portimonense | Portimão | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Santa Clara | Ponta Delgada | 13 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Penafiel | Penafiel | 12 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Sporting da Covilhã | Covilhã | 12 | 2009 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Belenenses | Lisbon | 11 | 2008 | 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Oliveirense | Oliveira de Azeméis | 11 | 2009 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Olhanense | Olhão | 10 | 2008 | 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Arouca | Arouca | 9 | 2011 | 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Varzim | Póvoa de Varzim | 9 | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Beira-Mar | Aveiro | 8 | 2008 | 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Trofense | Trofa | 8 | 2008 | 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Freamunde | Freamunde | 8 | 2008 | 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Chaves | Chaves | 8 | 2010 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Tondela | Tondela | 8 | 2013 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | União da Madeira | Funchal | 7 | 2012 | 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Boavista | Porto | 7[2][3] | 2008 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Académico de Viseu | Viseu | 7 | 2014 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Naval | Figueira da Foz | 6 | 2008 | 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | União de Leiria | Leiria | 5 | 2008 | 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Atlético CP | Lisbon | 5 | 2012 | 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Farense | Faro | 5 | 2014 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Famalicão | Vila Nova de Famalicão | 5 | 2016 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Cova da Piedade | Cova da Piedade | 4 | 2017 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Mafra | Mafra | 4 | 2016 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | Fátima | Fátima | 3 | 2008 | 2011 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | Vizela | Vizela | 3 | 2008 | 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Estrela da Amadora | Amadora | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Gondomar | Gondomar | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Oriental | Lisbon | 2 | 2015 | 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Belenenses SAD | Lisbon | 2 | 2019 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Carregado | Carregado | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Fafe | Fafe | 1 | 2017 | 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Real | Queluz | 1 | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Casa Pia | Lisbon | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Vilafranquense | Vila Franca de Xira | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
Players statistics
Appearances
- As of 2018–19 season[4]
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Apps | Goals | Years | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Jardel | 38 | 1 | 2009– | Estoril, Olhanense, Benfica |
| 2 |  | Tarantini | 37 | 4 | 2007– | Portimonense, Rio Ave |
| 3 | | Ricardo Pessoa | 35 | 7 | 2007–2018 | Portimonense, Moreirense |
| 4 | | João Pedro | 34 | 4 | 2007–2015 | Beira-Mar, União de Leiria, Oliveirense, Naval, Braga Belenenses, Moreirense |
| | Filipe Gonçalves | 34 | 3 | 2007– | Vitória de Setúbal, Paços de Ferreira, Trofense, Moreirense, Estoril, Nacional, Oliveirense | |
| 6 | | Edgar Sá | 33 | 2 | 2008–2016 | Sporting da Covilhã, Santa Clara |
| 7 | | Hélder Guedes | 32 | 7 | 2007–2018 | Penafiel, Paços de Ferreira, Rio Ave |
| 8 | | Jorge Pires | 31 | 5 | 2008– | Portimonense, Desportivo das Aves, Feirense, Moreirense, Penafiel |
| 9 | | Edgar Costa | 30 | 5 | 2009– | Nacional, Moreirense, Marítimo |
| | Lourenço Almeida | 30 | 2 | 2007–2014 | Penafiel, Beira-Mar, Vitória de Setúbal, Desportivo das Aves, Santa Clara, Académico de Viseu |
Bold = Still active and playing in Portugal
Goalscorers
All-time top scorers
- As of 2018–19 season[5]
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Goals | Games | Years | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Tozé Marreco | 12 | 25 | 2010– | Desportivo das Aves, União da Madeira, Naval, Tondela, Académica |
| 2 | | Liédson | 11 | 13 | 2007–2013 | Sporting CP, Porto |
| 3 | | Jonas | 10 | 15 | 2014– | Benfica |
| 4 | | Lima | 9 | 16 | 2009–2015 | Belenenses, Braga, Benfica |
| | Rabiola | 9 | 16 | 2007–2015 | Porto, Desportivo das Aves, Penafiel | |
| | Dyego Sousa | 9 | 21 | 2010– | Leixões, Tondela, Portimonense Marítimo, Braga | |
| | Edinho | 9 | 22 | 2007– | Marítimo, Académica, Braga, Vitória de Setúbal, Feirense | |
| | Miguel Rosa | 9 | 24 | 2008– | Estoril, Carregado, Belenenses, Cova da Piedade | |
| | Clemente | 9 | 27 | 2007–2019 | Chaves, Oliveirense, Santa Clara |
Bold = Still active and playing in Portugal
Goalscorers by seasons
| Season | Player | Country | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Matheus | Brazil | Vitória de Setúbal | 5 |
| 2008–09 | Liédson | Brazil | Sporting CP | 4 |
| 2009–10 | Carlão | Brazil | União de Leiria | 3 |
| 2010–11 | Hugo Vieira | Portugal | Gil Vicente | 5 |
| 2011–12 | Baba Diawara |  Senegal | Marítimo | 4 |
| Rodrigo |  Spain | Benfica | ||
| Miguel Rosa | Portugal | Belenenses | ||
| 2012–13 | Fabrício | Brazil | Sporting da Covilhã | 5 |
| Josué | Portugal | Paços de Ferreira | ||
| Rafael Porcellis | Brazil | Santa Clara | ||
| Rabiola | Portugal | Desportivo das Aves | ||
| 2013–14 | Tozé Marreco | Portugal | Tondela | 3 |
| Jackson Martínez |  Colombia | Porto | ||
| Moreira | Portugal | Leixões | ||
| Ricardo Pessoa | Portugal | Portimonense | ||
| Wágner | Brazil | Moreirense | ||
| 2014–15 | Jonas | Brazil | Benfica | 5 |
| 2015–16 | Raúl Jiménez |  Mexico | Benfica | 4 |
| Talisca | Brazil | Benfica | ||
| 2016–17 | Welthon | Brazil | Paços de Ferreira | 4 |
| 2017–18 | Gonçalo Paciência | Portugal | Vitória de Setúbal | 5 |
| 2018–19 | Paulinho | Portugal | Braga | 4 |
| Dyego Sousa | Portugal | Braga | ||
| 2019–20 | Ricardo Horta | Portugal | Braga | 4 |
| Soares | Brazil | Porto | ||
| 2020–21 | Paulinho | Portugal | Braga | 3 |
Sponsorship
Since its inception (except in the period between 2011–15) the Taça da Liga has had the following naming sponsors meaning it has been known by different names:
| Period | Sponsor | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2007–2010 | Carlsberg | Carlsberg Cup |
| 2010–2011 | Bwin | Bwin Cup |
| 2011–2015 | No main sponsor | Taça da Liga |
| 2015–2018 | CTT | Taça CTT |
| 2018– | Allianz | Allianz Cup |
Records
As of 25 January 2021[6]
- Most tournament wins (team): 7 wins, Benfica
- Most final appearances (team): 7, Benfica
- Most tournament wins (individual): 7, Luisão for Benfica
- Most final appearances: (individual): 6, Luisão for Benfica (2009–11, 2014–16)
- Most matches (team): 58, Benfica
- Most matches (individual): 43, Jardel
- Most game wins (team): 39, Benfica
- Most goals (team): 115, Benfica
- Highest goalscorer (career): 12 goals, Tozé Marreco & Paulinho[7]
- Highest goalscorer (season): 5 goals, by Matheus for Vitória de Setúbal (2007–08), Hugo Vieira for Gil Vicente (2010–11) and Jonas for Benfica (2014–15)
- Most goals scored in a match (individual): 4 goals, by Rabiola for Desportivo das Aves vs Trofense, 29 July 2012
- Biggest win: Sporting CP 6–0 União da Madeira, third round, 20 December 2017
- Biggest win in a final: Marítimo 2–6 Benfica, 20 May 2016
- Highest scoring game: 8 goals, Belenenses 5–3 Leixões, first round, 7 August 2011 and Marítimo 2–6 Benfica, final, 20 May 2016
- Most penalties in a deciding penalty shootout: 20 – Vitória de Guimarães 6–7 Sporting CP (27 September 2007)
- Youngest goalscorer in the final: Bruno Pereirinha, 20 years and 19 days, for Sporting CP vs Benfica, 2009
- Youngest player in the final: Nuno Mendes, 18 years, 7 months and 5 days for Sporting CP vs Braga, 2021
- Youngest captain in the final: João Moutinho, 21 years, 6 months and 14 days for Sporting CP vs Vitória de Setúbal, 2008
See also
- Taça de Portugal
- Taça Ribeiro dos Reis (unofficial predecessor organized by the Portuguese Football Federation)
- Taça Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (another predecessor organized by the Portuguese Football Federation)
- List of association football competitions in Portugal
- List of Taça da Liga winning managers
References
- ^ a b "Taça da Liga – Acerca desta Competição" [About this competition]. lpfp.pt (in Portuguese). Portuguese League for Professional Football. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ Boavista excluded from 2009 League Cup after missing players inscription deadline "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2008-08-05. (Portuguese)
- ^ Boavista excluded from professional competitions after failing to pay debts [1] (Portuguese)
- ^ "Taça da Liga: Estatísticas". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "Taça da Liga: Estatísticas". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "Stats". thefinalball. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- ^ "Cardozo? Jonas? Jackson? Golos na Taça da Liga é mais com Tozé Marreco" [Cardozo ? Jonas ? Jackson? Goals in the League Cup is More with Toze Marreco] (in Portuguese). zerozero. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
External links
- Official website (in Portuguese)
- Portugal - List of League Cup Finals, RSSSF.com