The loss eliminated Benfica from the Cup competition, which the Lisbon club has won 23 times. The northern second division B team won at Benfica after striker Cilio Souza scored from a 10th minute free kick.

Benfica squandered several chances to level and were unable to break through Gondomar's defensive wall. Hungarian striker Miklos Feher came closest in the 54th minute when his header cannoned off a Gondomar goal post.

Stunned Benfica players left the pitch with jeering fans waving handkerchiefs.

Police in riot gear were called in to control about 400 Benfica fans screaming insults outside Benfica's dressing room. There were no reports of injuries or fighting.

'Everybody should stay calm,' Benfica spokesman Joao Malheiro told the fans. 'The club's directors are right now analysing the consequences of being ousted from the Cup.'

Benfica barred coaches and players from commenting.

The elimination piles the pressure on Benfica coach Jesualdo Ferreira.

Benfica were Portugal's highest-spending club in signing new players in the off season, including international striker Nuno Gomes, who returned to Benfica after two years at debt-ridden Fiorentina.

Benfica are third in the league, seven points behind leaders Porto. Benfica are historically Portugal's most successful club and have the country's biggest following.