The 2011–12 Taça da Liga was the fifth edition of the Portuguese Taça da Liga. The first matches were played on 31 July 2011. The final was played on 14 April 2012, with Benfica defeating Gil Vicente 2–1 to win their fourth consecutive Taça da Liga. Format This seasons' format consists of 3 rounds, plus knockout stages. In the first round, only second division teams play. All 16 teams are allocated into 4 groups of 4 teams each. Each team plays 3 matches and top two of each group advances. In the second round, teams that qualified from previous round are joined by the two Liga Sagres promoted teams and also the 6 worst in the top league in the previous season. There will be two-legged fixtures in which the winners will advance. The third round is where the remaining top 8 teams from previous season first division enter the competition. Again, as in the first round, the 16 teams are divided into 4 groups and each team will play 3 matches. However this time, only group winners advance. Both semi-finals and finals are one-legged fixtures. Participating clubs Clubs starting from the first round: Arouca, Atlético CP, Belenenses, Covilhã, Desportivo das Aves, Estoril, Freamunde, Leixões, Moreirense, Naval, Oliveirense, Penafiel, Portimonense, Santa Clara, Trofense, União da Madeira Clubs starting from the second round: Académica, Beira-Mar, Feirense, Gil Vicente, Marítimo, Olhanense, União de Leiria, Vitória de Setúbal Clubs starting from the third round: Benfica, Braga, Nacional, Paços de Ferreira, Porto, Rio Ave, Sporting CP, Vitória de Guimarães First round Group A Group B Group C Group D Second round The 2011–12 Taça da Liga Second Round matches were played on 8, 9, 26 and 27 October 2011 for the first legs whilst the second legs took place on 9, 12 and 13 November 2011. The winners over the two legs progressed to the third round. First leg Second leg Vitória de Setúbal won 4-3 on aggregate. Feirense 2-2 Portimonense on aggregate. Portimonense won 5-4 on penalties. Estoril won 4-3 on aggregate. Moreirense won 4-3 on aggregate. Marítimo won 5-2 on aggregate. Gil Vicenre won 3-2 on aggregate. Santa Clara won 3-2 on aggregate. Penafiel won 2-1 on aggregate. Third round The 2011–12 Taça da Liga Third Round group stage matches are to be played in January and February 2012. The eight winners of the two legged Second Round matches progressed to this