“Vitória de Guimarães makes history with an exciting victory.”

Sunday dawned serenely in Guimarães, a striking contrast to the previous night, which was a true whirlwind of celebrations. The city, known as the birthplace of the nation, experienced a historic moment that will forever be etched in the memories of its inhabitants: the unprecedented victory of Vitória Sport Clube in the League Cup, in a final that turned into an epic clash between the rivals from Minho.

With the trophy already at home, the atmosphere in the city was one of euphoria and relief, following an intense and joy-filled night. In the heart of the city, near the iconic Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, the morning silence was merely a facade for a celebration that still echoed in the conversations of the population. Vitória, of course, was the center of attention, and the victory in the final against SC Braga dominated discussions.

At Largo do Toural, a true meeting point for the people of Guimarães, conversations were charged with emotion. Although there were no chants resounding, the passion of the supporters was evident in every exchanged word. Small groups gathered at the doors of cafes, reminiscing about the decisive moments of the match, such as the goals by Samu and Ndoye, as well as Charles’ monumental save at the end of the game. Even the performance of the refereeing team sparked heated debates, reflecting the significance of the event for the city.

At the café tables, newspapers were still open and the excitement, although more subdued, persisted. Traces of the celebration were everywhere, with white confetti still adorning the streets, bearing witness to the intensity of the festivities. The joy was palpable and a supporter did not hesitate to exclaim: “Vitória won!” upon encountering a friend, while another member shared the city’s pride in securing the third trophy in its history. “We already had a Super Cup and a Portuguese Cup, and now we have the League Cup,” he recalled, emphasizing the significance of this achievement.

The rivalry with SC Braga added a special flavor to the victory, turning this title into one of the most significant conquests in Vitória’s history. “Beating SC Braga in the final has a very special meaning. Here in Guimarães, the Minho derby is the only one that matters and yesterday was the most important in history because a trophy was at stake,” highlighted a passionate supporter.

The night will be remembered by all, young and old, and many compared it to the Super Cup win in 1988, when Vitória defeated Benfica, or to the victory in 2013. An emotional supporter confessed: “It was the best day of my life as a Vitória member.”

The feeling that this League Cup could be a springboard for new successes also circulated among supporters, with many believing that the club has the potential to win more titles. “Vitória is a club that needs to win titles, and this cup can be an important step in that direction,” stated one of the participants.

The party did not end with the final whistle. Around 3:30 in the morning, the victorious team returned by bus, greeted by a crowd and a wave of enthusiasm that the city had not seen in nearly 13 years, since winning the Taça de Portugal.

The players and coaching staff, atop the bus, did not hesitate to sing and express their gratitude for the unconditional support from the fans throughout the season. Rodrigo Abascal, Samu, João Mendes, and captain Nélson Oliveira were the true stars of the celebration, ensuring that the excitement remained alive throughout the night. The message was clear: “United for Vitória,” a call for continued unity and strength for the challenges that lie ahead.