What Is 2020 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

Overview

The 2020 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira was an annual Portuguese football match contested between the winners of the previous season's Primeira Liga and the Taça de Portugal. Due to fixture delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season extended into 2020, pushing the Supertaça to December 23, 2020.

FC Porto, champions of the 2019–20 Primeira Liga, faced SC Braga, who qualified as runners-up in the 2019–20 Taça de Portugal after Benfica won both the league and cup. The match was held at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, a neutral venue selected by the Portuguese Football Federation.

• December 23, 2020: The match was delayed from its usual August slot due to the pandemic’s impact on the football calendar.
• FC Porto: Entered as league champions with 82 points from 34 matches in the 2019–20 season.
• SC Braga: Qualified by reaching the Taça de Portugal final, defeating Vitória de Setúbal and Sporting CP en route.
• Estádio Municipal de Aveiro: Hosted the Supertaça for the third time, with a reduced capacity due to health restrictions.
• Final score: FC Porto won 2–0, with goals from Zaidu Sanusi in the 42nd minute and Mehdi Taremi in stoppage time of the second half.

How It Works

The Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira follows a standard format where the previous season’s league champions face the cup winners. If one team wins both titles, the cup runners-up take the opposing spot.

• Eligibility: The Primeira Liga winner and Taça de Portugal winner qualify; if one team wins both, the runner-up enters. In 2020, Benfica won the cup but not the league, so Braga played as cup finalists.
• Match format: A single match played at a neutral venue, typically in late summer or early winter if delayed.
• Venue selection: The Portuguese Football Federation chooses the stadium; Aveiro was selected for 2020 due to scheduling and logistical considerations.
• Substitutions: Five substitutions were allowed in 2020 due to temporary IFAB rules introduced during the pandemic.
• Refereeing: Artur Soares Dias officiated the match, issuing three yellow cards and managing a physical encounter.
• Awards: The winning team receives the Supertaça trophy and a cash prize of approximately €150,000, funded by the LPFP.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 Supertaça compares to recent editions:

The 2020 match marked FC Porto’s return to winning form after losing the 2019 final to Benfica. It also continued the trend of the Supertaça being dominated by Portugal’s top clubs, with only Braga and Vitória de Guimarães breaking the Benfica–Porto duopoly since 2000. The game’s low attendance—limited to 5,000 spectators—reflected ongoing pandemic restrictions.

Why It Matters

The Supertaça remains a prestigious curtain-raiser for the Portuguese football season, symbolizing dominance across competitions. Winning reinforces a club’s status and provides early momentum.

• Historical significance: FC Porto extended their record to 23 Supertaça titles, surpassing Benfica’s 9 wins.
• Domestic dominance: Porto’s victory reaffirmed their strength after a tightly contested 2019–20 league campaign.
• Player impact: Mehdi Taremi’s goal marked his growing influence in Porto’s attack during his debut season.
• Financial reward: The prize money supports club operations, particularly important during pandemic-related revenue losses.
• Youth exposure: Young players gained experience in a high-stakes match, aiding long-term development.
• Media reach: The game was broadcast in over 100 countries, enhancing Portugal’s football visibility globally.

The 2020 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, though delayed and played under unique conditions, upheld its role as a key fixture in Portuguese football, blending tradition with adaptability in challenging times.