Two goals in the last 20 minutes allowed Arouca to defeat Moreirense 2-1 on Thursday and qualify for the ‘final four’ of the Football League Cup, after a game that the Guimarães controlled until the 70th minute.
The Arouquense team will debut in the decisive phase of the competition thanks to goals from Tiago Esgaio, in the 70th minute, and by Rafa Mujica, in the 79th, in response to the penalty converted by André Luís, forward of the ‘greens and blacks’ . whites’, 44.
After handing the Portuguese II Liga leaders their first home defeat of the season, the team led by Armando Evangelista will face trophy holders Sporting in the semi-final scheduled in Leiria.
After beating Benfica in Group C, winning the group with the same seven points as the undefeated leader of the Portuguese First League, Minho’s team attacked more in the first 15 minutes and even put the ball into the opponent’s goal, from de Camacho, in the sixth minute, in a play canceled for offside.
Arouca ‘refined’ the markings and reacted, threatening the goal in a direct corner from Alan Ruiz, deflected in David Bruno’s goal line, at 19′, and in a shot from Rafa Mujica, at 35′, before they reappear the dangerous ‘canons’ up front, with Camacho’s header up, at 39.
Ismaila Soro’s stumble after a feint by Ofori inside the Arouquense area earned Moreirense a penalty, which André Luís took advantage of to score the seventh goal of the season.
With the exception of Rafa Mujica’s ‘shot’ at the post, in the 51st minute, Moreirense maintained their advantage away from their area in the first 25 minutes of the second half, with several shots near the opponent’s area, but Tiago Esgaio deflected heel after a corner from the right, sealed the tie and launched the return.
The formation of the Portuguese I Liga took full control of the game, with shots brushing the irons of the ‘cónega’ goal, and Rafa Mujica confirmed the ascendant from Arouco in a play in which he isolated himself to shoot out of Pasinato’s reach , with a shot from mid-height.
Source: TSF
