SC Braga scraped into the UEFA Europa League Final with a hard fought 1-0 win over SL Benfica.
A first half header from Custodio gave Braga the win and sealed their progress on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw over two legs. Braga will now face FC Porto in Europe’s first ever all-Portuguese final.
Braga threatened first and it took good defensive work from Benfica captain Luisao to prevent Mossoro from scoring. Brazilian striker Lima then had a good chance for Braga but sent his finish high over the bar.
Braga’s good start paid off in the 19th minute when they took a decisive 1-0 lead. Hugo Viana swung over a corner and Portuguese midfielder Custodio rose highest to plant a header past Roberto.
Benfica settled into the game and the physical presence of Oscar Cardozo was a particular threat. The Paraguay forward set up both Javi Garcia and Javier Saviola in the opening half, but both chances were saved by Artur in the Braga goal.
Cardozo also found space out on the flank and crossed for Saviola, but the Argentine forwards shot came back off the inside of the goalpost.
Benfica knew they needed a goal as the second half began, and went close through Saviola just minutes after the restart. Artur then did well to intercept Nicolas Gaitan’s cross with Cardozo lurking.
The home crowd grew nervy as the game progressed and Benfica kept up the pressure. First Gaitan was denied by an excellent Artur save, and then Luisao headed wide from the resulting corner. The nerviest moment for the home support came when a goal bound Alan Kardec shot was cleared off the line by Paulao.
Benfica’s constant pressing left gaps at the other end, and Viana and Custodio both went close for Braga, before the final whistle sent the home support into mass celebration.
Braga will now face FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League Final in Dublin, Ireland on 18 May.
SCORING SUMMARY
BRA – Custodio (Hugo Viana) 19’
LINEUPS
BRA – Artur, Rodriguez, Paulao, Mossoro (Kaka), M Garcia, Lima (Salino), Meyong (Barbosa), Custodio, Silvio, Alan, Viana.
BEN – Roberto, Luisao, J Garcia, Cardozo, Pereira, Martins (Kardec), Coentrao, Gaitan, Peixoto (Jara), Saviola (Menezes), Jardel.
Live Soccer TV Man of the Match: Hugo Viana (SC Braga).
Braga threatened first and it took good defensive work from Benfica captain Luisao to prevent Mossoro from scoring. Brazilian striker Lima then had a good chance for Braga but sent his finish high over the bar.
Braga’s good start paid off in the 19th minute when they took a decisive 1-0 lead. Hugo Viana swung over a corner and Portuguese midfielder Custodio rose highest to plant a header past Roberto.
Benfica settled into the game and the physical presence of Oscar Cardozo was a particular threat. The Paraguay forward set up both Javi Garcia and Javier Saviola in the opening half, but both chances were saved by Artur in the Braga goal.
Cardozo also found space out on the flank and crossed for Saviola, but the Argentine forwards shot came back off the inside of the goalpost.
Benfica knew they needed a goal as the second half began, and went close through Saviola just minutes after the restart. Artur then did well to intercept Nicolas Gaitan’s cross with Cardozo lurking.
The home crowd grew nervy as the game progressed and Benfica kept up the pressure. First Gaitan was denied by an excellent Artur save, and then Luisao headed wide from the resulting corner. The nerviest moment for the home support came when a goal bound Alan Kardec shot was cleared off the line by Paulao.
Benfica’s constant pressing left gaps at the other end, and Viana and Custodio both went close for Braga, before the final whistle sent the home support into mass celebration.
Braga will now face FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League Final in Dublin, Ireland on 18 May.
SCORING SUMMARY
BRA – Custodio (Hugo Viana) 19’
LINEUPS
BRA – Artur, Rodriguez, Paulao, Mossoro (Kaka), M Garcia, Lima (Salino), Meyong (Barbosa), Custodio, Silvio, Alan, Viana.
BEN – Roberto, Luisao, J Garcia, Cardozo, Pereira, Martins (Kardec), Coentrao, Gaitan, Peixoto (Jara), Saviola (Menezes), Jardel.
Live Soccer TV Man of the Match: Hugo Viana (SC Braga).
