Sporting de Braga qualified for the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Football Cup this Wednesday by beating Vitória de Guimarães 3-2 after losing 2-0 in a spectacular and thrilling minho derby.
Jota Silva (16 minutes) and Anderson Silva (45+6) put Vitória de Guimarães in the advantage, but in five minutes, already in the last straight, Sporting de Braga turned the game around, by Abel Ruiz (80 and 85) and Vitinha (82).
After 80 minutes in which Vitória de Guimarães performed at a high level and Sporting de Braga a few holes down, Artur Jorge’s team took advantage of some opponent wear and tear to stage a comeback that few would believe.
Vitória de Guimarães started the game much better and after four minutes Jota Silva passed two opponents and only Matheus prevented the goal with a quick exit from the goal.
Another sign from Vitória was Dani Silva’s first shot, after a cross from the right from Miguel Maga — Matheus showed attention (11).
The Victorians’ goal was therefore not surprising, with Jota Silva giving the best range to a good pass from Anderson Silva with a cross shot (16), against a Sporting de Braga with many defensive ‘craters’.
Artur Jorge’s team, which had two excellent wins and performances (3-0 against Benfica and 4-0 against Santa Clara), struggled to enter the final stronghold against and only in a breakaway from Abel Ruiz on the left , which Ricardo Horta could not finish (32) and a direct free kick from Iuri Medeiros created danger (43).
Moreno had to change teams before the break due to the injury of Tiago Silva, who replaced Janvier (43).
In the last move of the first half, and in the best phase of the home side, Vitória de Guimarães extended the lead: André Silva won the game against Racic and asked Anderson Silva who from midfield beat Paulo Oliveira in speed and Bruno Rodrigues and after the departure of Matheus, he ‘spiked’ the ball over the goalkeeper of Braga (45+6).
Vitinha came on for Racic after the break and the difference was immediately palpable: in the 49th minute, Ricardo Horta, well requested by Abel Ruiz, forced Celton Biai into a difficult defense — the keeper even acrobatically prevented the reload, with the feet.
Vitória de Guimarães defended more in the second half, but had chances to score the third, through Miguel Maga (53) and especially Nélson da Luz, a newcomer who almost scored – he was careless and Matheus was also decisive (71). ).
Vitória de Guimarães did not ‘kill’ the game, Sporting de Braga took advantage of it for a spectacular reaction.
Abel Ruiz took advantage of a ‘hole’ in the hitherto impregnable defensive wall of Guimarães (80) and gave hope to Braga, who materialized it shortly afterwards with a ‘beautiful goal’ from Vitinha.
Vitória was now completely stunned, which Sporting de Braga took advantage of with new urges and several rebounds to complete the turnaround with epic contours.
Ricardo Horta even threw a ‘bomb’ on the post (90+4), but victory was assured for Sporting de Braga, who now receive Benfica in the ‘quarters’ at the beginning of February.
Source: DN
