A stoppage time header by Emiliano Valázquez gave Braga a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 victory at Marítimo last night to send the northerners into the final four of the Taça da Liga.
On Tuesday night a second-string Benfica outclassed Vitória de Guimarães, winning 2-0 thanks to a brace from Gonçalo Guedes in the first half.
Braga-Vitória Setúbal (25 January) and Benfica-Moreirense (26 January) is therefore the semi-final line-up, both games to be played at the Algarve Stadium, with the final on 29 January at the same venue.
Marítimo 0-1 Braga
Both sides started their Group C encounter knowing a victory would earn them a semi-final berth. After an even first half the home team dominated the second 45 minutes and must still today be wondering how they failed to win the match.
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A series of clear-cut chances were created and spurned by the islanders. Two of the best opportunities saw Braga goalkeeper Matheus save brilliantly from Edgar Costa and the normally lethal Dyego Sousa blaze a one-on-one over the bar.
In the closing minutes Marítimo goalkeeper Gottardi was stretchered off with a achilles tendon tear and as the hosts had used up all their substitutes Brazilian centre-back Maurício went in goal. An uninspired Braga failed to test him initially, and with Rio Ave beating Sporting Covilhã 2-0 in the other group game, it appeared both teams would be heading out of the competition as the match headed into stoppage time.
But Uruguayan centre-back Valázquez had other ideas, crashing in a superb header in the 94th minute to send Braga through and in with a good chance of making it to a domestic final for 4th time in 5 seasons.
Vitória Guimarães 0-2 Benfica
Benfica made significant changes from when the two sides had met four days previously in the Liga NOS, rotating their entire forward line with Carrillo, Zivkovic, Guedes and Rafa all starting in place of Cervi, Salvio, Jonas and Mitroglou, and there were also rare starts for defensive midfielder Samaris and goalkeeper Júlio César.
Vitória were close to taking the lead after just 30 seconds as a diving Soares narrowly failed to get his head onto a flicked-on corner - but that was as good as it got for the home side.
Benfica took complete control of proceedings and could conceivably have gone into the break 5 goals to the good. Gonçalo Guedes scored a fine brace after being neatly set up by Nélson Semedo and Carrillo respectively, Pizzi missed a penalty, Rafa spurned two one-one-ones, and Vitória's impressive goalkeeper Miguel Silva made a series of fine saves.
The irrepressible Guedes and the highly talented Zivkovic shined especially brightly for the Portuguese champions, this match proving Benfica have unmatched quality in Portugal when it comes to attacking options.
And they are not doing too badly at the back either. Benfica chose to close out the match by retaining possession without putting much emphasis on chasing more goals in the second half, which resulted in a seventh clean sheet in a row.
On this form the Eagles look well set to win their fourth successive Taça da Liga trophy. If they do so, it will make it 8 triumphs in the 10 years the competition has existed.
by Tom Kundert
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