Taça de Portugal 2026/2027 Third Round Draw Sets Stage for Exciting Underdog Clashes
The 3rd round draw of the Taça de Portugal 2026/2027, held on September 23, 2026, has set up several intriguing fixtures with Primeira Liga teams, including Santa Clara, facing lower division opponents away from home. Matches are scheduled for the weekend of October 17-18, 2026.
On September 23, 2026, the draw for the third round of the Taça de Portugal 2026/2027 took place, revealing key matchups between Primeira Liga clubs and lower league teams. This stage marks an exciting phase of the tournament where top division sides face the challenge of away matches against clubs from Liga 3, Segunda Liga, Campeonato de Portugal, and even the Distrital league. The games are set to be contested over the weekend of October 17 and 18, 2026. [1]
Among the highlighted clashes is Santa Clara's away fixture against Mafra, a Liga 3 team. This will be their ninth competitive meeting, with the head-to-head record narrowly favoring Santa Clara, who have three wins, two draws, and three losses against Mafra to date. This matchup epitomizes the potential unpredictability and romance of the Taça de Portugal, where lower-tier teams get to host and challenge established Primeira Liga sides. [2]
Other notable third round pairings include Salgueiros (Campeonato de Portugal) versus Estoril Praia (Primeira Liga), Alcochetense (Campeonato de Portugal) facing Marítimo (Primeira Liga), and Tondela (Segunda Liga) taking on Alverca (Primeira Liga). The draw has grouped numerous encounters where the home advantage lies with underdog clubs from various lower leagues, underlining the democratic and open nature of this national cup competition. [1]
Interestingly, all Primeira Liga teams, including Santa Clara, will play away from home in this round. This arrangement increases the challenge for higher division sides and could potentially pave the way for surprise results, as the smaller clubs gain on familiar grounds and local support. The blend of matchups between tiers across multiple divisions showcases the depth and competitiveness of Portuguese football's cup format. [1]
While favorites from the top league carry expectations to progress, the presence of matches involving teams from the Distrital leagues up to Primeira Liga adds intrigue and potential for notable upsets. With the fixtures scheduled nearly a month after the draw, teams have time to prepare strategically for these important games that keep the tradition of the Taça as a celebration and testing ground for all levels of Portuguese football alive. [1][2]