FC Porto is the first finalists of the WSE Champions League by Azemad following a thrilling match

What a fantastic semi-final of the Rink Hockey Champions League we saw in Coimbra. FC Porto and OC Barcelos put on a great show and had the arena buzzing with excitement in a thrilling match that went down to the wire. The match was decided on penalties, following a 3-3 draw at the end of 60 minutes, and it was the Porto side who came out on top

A great rink hockey match between two Portuguese teams who know each other very well. Consequently, it started at a very high tempo, with intensity and high pressure. And the first goal was not long in coming, with Vieirinha scoring at the far post following a high recovery. Trailing, FC Porto pushed forward, gaining more possession and creating chances, but their shots were either blocked by Barcelos’s organised defence or saved by goalkeeper Guillem Torrents, one of the best players on the pitch during the first half. The equaliser came three minutes before half-time, following an excellent attacking move between Hélder Nunes and Ezequiel Mena, with the Argentine shooting unchallenged and leaving the keeper with no chance, restoring parity and levelling the contest as a fiercely contested first half drew to a close at a breakneck pace. That pace continued in the second half, albeit in a more measured fashion, as it became clear the match could be decided by the smallest of margins. A mistake by di Benedetto (he moved off his line) earned him a blue card and a penalty for OC Barcelos. Miguel Rocha, with a powerful strike, made no mistake, scoring the second goal for the Minho side. This lead held until two minutes before the end of normal time, when FC Porto’s attacking strategy resulted in the equaliser scored by captain Gonçalo Alves following a solo run into the box that wrong-footed the goalkeeper, after a no less brilliant move led by Ezequiel Mena. The goal sent the match into extra time and the arena went wild, in a fantastic atmosphere worthy of note and the result of an excellent game played by both sides. The excitement and uncertainty continued into extra time, with the teams risking everything, giving their all in a match worthy of the Champions League. Miguel Rocha restored Barcelos’ lead, finishing effectively after a shot by Morales. With the Minho side back in front, it was FC Porto’s turn to fight back, refusing to give up. And Gonçalo Alves levelled the score once more, in a powerful move, breaking through the opposition defence before finishing effectively… taking the game to a penalty shoot-out. There, FC Porto was stronger and went to the final. What they said: Paulo Freitas, FC Porto coach “In this competition, we’ve achieved our fourth objective, which was to reach the final, and now we’ll aim for the fifth: to win the final. We didn’t start well; Barcelos took the lead. We wanted to control the score and face fewer difficulties, but the team showed tremendous resilience to turn the game around. We survived two under-play situations and were very disciplined. A very tight, very even match, with the teams wary of each other. It was a very intense Champions League match in which we reached the final in all fairness. We came here with the aim of honoring the club and winning this match; we’re in the final and we’ll fight to bring the trophy back to Porto.” Rui Neto, Barcelos coach “I’m sad because obviously when you don’t win, you can’t be happy. I think we were the better side for 50 minutes; we had the best chances even in extra time. We were unlucky; we hit the woodwork a lot, penalties hit the woodwork – it was meant to be. But it was a great hockey match in which we were the better side, with a few mistakes on our part, but what remains is that we showed why we were European champions last season and demonstrated the quality we possess.” FC Porto, 3 – OC Barcelos, 3* WSE Champions League by Azemad 2025/2026 Semi-final 1 Saturday, 9 May 2026 + 12:00 + Dr. Mário Mexia Multisport Hall Referees: Ruben Fernández (Spain), Daniel Villar (Spain) and Marco Rondina (Italy) FC Porto – Xavi Malián, Hélder Nunes, Rafa, Gonçalo Alves (c) and Carlo di Benedetto Substitutes – Leonardo Pais, Telmo Pinto, Edu Lamas, Pol Manrubia, Rafa Manager: Paulo Freitas OC Barcelos – Guillem Torrents; Vieirinha, Ivan Morales, Miguel Rocha and Carlitos Substitutes – Luís Belchior, Luís Querido (c), Pedro Silva, Kyllian Gil, Tato Ferruccio Manager: Rui Neto Goals: 0-1 by Vieirinha (4’); 1-1 by Ezequiel Mena (22’); 1-2 by Miguel Rocha (34’); 2-2 by Gonçalo Alves (48’); 2-3 by Miguel Rocha (55’); 3-3 by Gonçalo Alves (57’) At half-time: 1-1 Cards: Yellow: Rafa (35’) Blue – Edu Lamas (15’); Tato Ferruccio (17’); Carlo di Benedetto (34’) *After extra time and 6-4 after penalties Penalty shoot-out: Miguel Rocha missed; Pol Manrubia missed; 3-4 by Ivan Morales; 4-4 by Edu Lamas; Luís Querido missed; 5-4 by Gonçalo Alves; Carlitos missed; 6-4 by Carlo di Benedetto WSE Champions League Men– Final Eight Semi-finals Saturday, 8 May 12:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs OC Barcelos (POR) = 6-4 after penalty shots 16:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Barça (ESP)  – RTP 2 + DAZN 5 + Tv3 Catalunya | Press kit Final Sunday, 10 May 18:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs Winner of Match 6 WSE Champions League Women – Final Four Final Sunday, 10 May 12:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs CP Esneca Fraga (ESP) –  RTP 2 + RTP Play + DAZN 4