FC Porto beats second-division Torreense 1-0 for 25th Super Cup; Bednarek injured on poor pitch

Match summary

FC Porto began the 2026–27 season by lifting the Portuguese Super Cup for a record-extending 25th time, edging second-division cup holders SCU Torreense 1-0 at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra on Saturday. Coach Francesco Farioli sent out a strong XI: Diogo Costa in goal, a back four of Alberto Costa, Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior and Zaidu Sanusi, and a midfield anchored by Pablo Rosario. The only goal arrived in the 38th minute when Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt rose to head in a left-wing cross from Pepe. Porto dominated possession but were wasteful: William Gomes missed from three metres in the 30th minute, and Gabriel Veiga had earlier directed a weak header at goalkeeper Adriel. Torreense, the surprise Taça de Portugal winners, threatened early when Diogo Costa saved a Javi Vazquez free-kick in the second minute, but the second-tier side could not find an equaliser. Late controversy flared when Torreense appealed for a penalty that was not given, though the incident did not change the result.

Polish trio at Porto

Three Polish internationals were in the Porto matchday squad. Kiwior played the full 90 minutes in central defence, while Bednarek started alongside him but did not return after the interval. Oskar Pietuszewski, the 18-year-old winger who joined from Jagiellonia Białystok last winter, was named among the substitutes but remained unused. The teenager had been managing minor health problems in the days before the match, and Farioli opted not to risk him.

Bednarek injury and pitch controversy

Bednarek’s afternoon ended painfully. Early in the first half his foot became trapped in the turf during a sliding challenge inside the penalty area. He received treatment and carried on until the break, but was replaced by Alan Varela at half-time. Television cameras later showed the 29-year-old on the bench with an ice pack wrapped around his knee. Porto have not yet issued a medical update; Bednarek is expected to undergo scans in the coming hours.

The state of the Coimbra pitch drew sharp criticism before and after the match. Both Farioli and Bednarek had complained about the surface beforehand, and Portuguese daily O Jogo described the decision to stage the Super Cup on such an uneven, crumbling pitch as a scandal. Social-media footage showed divots flying up with every sharp turn, and many observers linked Bednarek’s injury directly to the poor conditions.

What comes next

Porto now turn their attention to the start of the Primeira Liga season, where they defend their title. The immediate concern is the fitness of Bednarek, who had been pencilled in as a defensive leader after a full pre-season. Kiwior is likely to partner him once fit, while Pietuszewski is expected to resume his role on the wing after shaking off his minor ailment. For Torreense, the narrow defeat against the champions provides encouragement as they prepare for life in the second tier.