It was with a convincing victory that FC Porto saw off HC Liceo and advanced to the semi-finals of the WSE Champions League by Azemad, a competition taking place in Coimbra until the 10th. Carlo di Benedetto, Ezequiel Mena and Rafa, who all scored twice, were among the most clinical, putting the Porto side at ease in a match they controlled.
FC Porto started at pace, looking to catch their opponents off guard. But Liceo held firm and also played on the counter-attack, making for a frantic start to the match. Both teams had clear chances to score, but the goalkeepers were keeping their nets secure, which is why the first goal only came just after the 21st minute in a fine individual move led by the Portuguese player Nuno Paiva, who shot from mid-range at the near post, leaving Malián with no chance.
The goal opened up the game and forced FC Porto to go in search of a comeback. That is exactly what happened with a minute and a half remaining before half-time, as Gonçalo Alves won the ball back in the attacking third and set up Carlo di Benedetto for the equaliser.
The second half began with a goal ruled out due to Rafa being in the area of goalkeeper Blai Roca. But shortly afterwards, Carlo di Benedetto found the net and scored his second of the match. FC Porto came out very strongly in the second half and barely allowed Liceo to organise their attacks. With the crowd cheering on the Portuguese side, the third goal arrived just after the 32nd minute, courtesy of Rafa, a beautifully struck goal that left the opposing goalkeeper with no chance.
FC Porto not only attacked but also defended well, forcing the Spanish side into mistakes. One such mistake led to the fourth goal for the Porto side, scored by Ezequiel Mena, who was left unmarked following an assist from Gonçalo Alves.
Following a penalty awarded for a foul by Telmo Pinto on Toni Pérez, Liceo pulled one back through César Carballeira. But with five minutes remaining, the match was all but decided by Porto’s fifth goal, celebrated by Ezequiel Mena, who also scored his second of the game. Rafa also had time to score his second, in the last minute with the goal already empty, securing a deserved thrashing for Porto.
What they said:
Paulo Freitas, FC Porto coach
“Third objective achieved in this competition: we wanted to qualify and win the group, and now we’re moving on. Liceo are a great team, very well organised, which is why the first half was more evenly matched, but the second half left no room for doubt and clearly showed that we were the better and superior side. We will have great respect for our next opponents, knowing that we are desperate to reach the final, so they will also find us a very tough opponent.”
Juan Copa, HC Liceo coach
“I’d like to congratulate FC Porto because they had a great second half. We gave it our all in the first half; that was the plan – to give everything right from the start and try to make as few mistakes as possible. But then they came out very strongly in the second half, and once they took the lead, it was difficult to catch up. FC Porto deserve a lot of credit because they have a tremendous team.”
FC Porto 6 – Hockey Club Liceo 2
WSE Champions League Final Four 2024/2025 quarter-finals
Wednesday, 6 May 2026 + 7.00 pm + Dr. Mário Mexia Multisport Pavilion
Referees: Joseph Silecchia (ITA), Francesco Stallone (ITA) and Daniel Villar (ESP)
FC Porto – Xavi Malián; Hélder Nunes, Rafa, Gonçalo Alves (c) and Carlo di Benedetto.
Substitutes – Leonardo Pais, Telmo Pinto, Edu Lamas, Pol Manrubia, Ezequiel Mena
Manager: Paulo Freitas
HC Liceo – Blai Roca, César Carballeira, David Torres (c), Bruno Saavedra and Arnau Xaus
Substitutes – Martín Rodríguez, Nil Cervera, Jacobo Copa, Toni Pérez, Arnau Xaus
Manager: Juan Copa
Goals: 0-1 by Nuno Paiva (21’); 1-1 by Carlo di Benedetto (23’); 2-1 by Carlo di Benedetto (31’); 3-1 by Rafa; 4-1 by Ezequiel Mena (41’); 4-2 by César Carballeira (44’); 5-2 by Ezequiel Mena (45’); 6-2 by Rafa (49)
At half-time: 1-1
Cards: –
WSE Champions League Men – Final Eight – WEST local hour
Quarter-finals
Wednesday, 6 May
19:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs HC Liceo (ESP) = 6-2
22:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Reus Deportiu Brasilia (ESP) – RTP Play + DAZN 4 + TV 3
Thursday, 7 May
19:00 – Barça (ESP) vs Sporting CP (POR) – RTP 2 + DAZN 4 + TV 3
22:00 – Óquei de Barcelos (POR) vs Hockey Trissino (ITA) – RTP Play + DAZN 4
Semi-finals
Saturday, 8 May
12:00 – FC Porro vs Winner of Match 4
16:00 – Winner of Match 2 vs Winner of Match 3
Final
Sunday, 10 May
18:00 – Winner of Match 5 vs Winner of Match 6
WSE Champions League Women – Final Four
Semi-finals
Friday, 8 May
19:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Telecable Gijón HC (ESP) – RTP 2 + DAZN 4
21:30 – CP Vila-Sana Coop d'Ivars (ESP) vs CP Esneca Fraga (ESP) – RTP Play + DAZN 4 + TV3 Catalonia
Final
Sunday, 10 May
12:00 – Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match