Braga 2-0 Benfica

Sporting de Braga have won the Taça de Portugal for the third time in their history after defeating nine-man Benfica 2-0 in Coimbra, this Sunday.

The Eagles got the showpiece off on the wrong foot following Helton Leite’s 17th-minute dismissal, facilitating the Arsenalistas’ route to the game’s first goal via Lucas Piazón.

Braga doubled their advantage late on in the second half through Ricardo Horta, steering them clear against an oft-frustrated Benfica, who’d end the clash reduced to nine men after a tempestuous end-of-game brawl.

Coming into the contest, Jorge Jesus stuck with his three central defenders against Carlos Carvalhal’s like-minded system, handing an opportunity to young Brazilian defender Morato in place of the injured Lucas Veríssimo.

Much of the planning behind the scheme was undone as early as the 17th minute, however, as Helton Leite’s challenge against an on-rushing Abel Ruiz was penalised with a straight red card.

Carvalhal’s men began tightening their control over proceedings, threatening initially through Galeno and André Castro shots that, ultimately, only served to warm Odisseas Vlachodimos up, deputising for Leite between the sticks.


2020/21 Portuguese Cup final highlights: Braga 2-0 Benfica


Benfica had bigger worries when an Al Musrati pass sliced right through the backline and into Ruiz’s feet, with a clear avenue to square it to an open Ricardo Horta prior to Nicolás Otamendi’s crucial intervention in the 40th minute, hooking away the ball destined to be stroked in.

Julian Weigl came close to benefitting from an inaccurate Diogo Gonçalves shot, falling kindly for the German in the 45th minute before seeing his effort beaten away by Matheus.

No less than two minutes later, Braga issued their response on the brink of half time with Piazón’s opener, catching Vlachodimos off his line and guiding a lobbed effort over the former Eagles number one.

Vlachodimos was a busy boy coming into the second period, seeing his resolve tested by strikes from Castro and Galeno within the opening five minutes.

A cross played into Ruiz in the 54th minute looked sure to convey even more danger for Benfica’s under-fire keeper before an outstretched leg from Jan Vertonghen seemed to do just enough to put the Spanish striker off, hitting it wide off his shin.

Galeno could and probably should have made it 2-0 on the hour-mark after burning past the Lisbon outfit’s defence down the left flank, lacking only the accuracy behind his lob to complete the move.

Horta stepped up next to turn heartbeats into a frenzy after arriving just fractions late to an early Ricardo Esgaio cross in the 64th minute, as the search for a second goal intensified.

The game began to gather a whole host of agonising emotions after Ruiz, yet again, failed to get a shot off on target inside the box, having turned a tired Vertonghen in the 83rd minute.

But just before Benfica could even begin to mount a late, great escape, Ruiz was on hand to set Horta clear in front of goal for one final crack at killing the game off, with the winger making no mistake when powering at goal.

Adel Taarabt summarised the mood in the Benfica camp with a late boil-over, clashing with Braga players and staff to earn himself, as well as the opposing Piazón, his marching orders, with the trophy belonging to the Bracarenses at full time.

By Patrick Ribeiro

Sp. Braga XI: Matheus - Nuno Sequeira, Tormena, Raúl Silva - Galeno, André Castro (João Novais, 71’), Al Musrati, Ricardo Esgaio - Ricardo Horta, Lucas Piazon - Abel Ruiz (Andraž Sporar, 87’)

Benfica XI: Helton Leite - Jan Vertonghen, Nicolás Otamendi, Morato (Chiquinho, 81’) - Alex Grimaldo, Julian Weigl, Adel Taarabt, Diogo Gonçalves (Nuno Tavares, 57’) - Everton (Rafa Silva, 57’), Pizzi (Odisseas Vlachodimos, 21’) - Haris Seferovic (Darwin Nuñez, 57’)

 

Goals:

[1-0] - Lucas Piazon (45+3)

[2-0] - Ricardo Horta (85’)

Comments (7)

This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I believe that at least in my lifetime this is the first time that both Benfica and Porto combined did not win anything in a season.

Another interesting stat is that Sporar played with Sporting and Braga this season,so he won Campeonato, Taca...

I believe that at least in my lifetime this is the first time that both Benfica and Porto combined did not win anything in a season.

Another interesting stat is that Sporar played with Sporting and Braga this season,so he won Campeonato, Taca da Liga and Taca de Portugal.

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antonio
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@antonio
Just a reminder, even if it most don’t count the Supercup as the most glorious trophy, it’s still a title and Porto won it this season (rather comfortably might I add). So Porto did end the title with at least that!

As for this game....

@antonio
Just a reminder, even if it most don’t count the Supercup as the most glorious trophy, it’s still a title and Porto won it this season (rather comfortably might I add). So Porto did end the title with at least that!

As for this game. The better team on the night won. Plain and simple. Neither team is at fault for what they get in their draws but Braga certainly had the more difficult run and earned this title. Congrats!!

Benfica were not spectacular. Naturally with the red it was always going to be difficult. With the red in mind they weren’t too bad. However, I’m not cutting JJ any slack. I think he had already started with the wrong squad to begin with. May be a Benfica fan, but I was honestly hoping a loss would somehow force this guy out. Guess I was delusional.

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Nunogomes21
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Benfica got rocked in this game.
Really a failure of a season.

Anyways this is good news for Portugal fans and I will explain why:

In 2016 Braga won the cup and Sporting was the true champion of the league... Portugal won euros

2021 Braga won...

Benfica got rocked in this game.
Really a failure of a season.

Anyways this is good news for Portugal fans and I will explain why:

In 2016 Braga won the cup and Sporting was the true champion of the league... Portugal won euros

2021 Braga won the cup and Sporting is true campeoes of the league.... Portugal Campeao 2021??

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—Z—
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Can someone remind me again of Jorge Jesus's greatness?

We have been told over the years so many times of the Cerebro's high- level managing credentials, yet I cannot think of a worse manager who I would fear in charge of my team going into a...

Can someone remind me again of Jorge Jesus's greatness?

We have been told over the years so many times of the Cerebro's high- level managing credentials, yet I cannot think of a worse manager who I would fear in charge of my team going into a final.

You can pretty much make guaranteed money betting against ole Jorgey in any final he heads into.

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Nostradumbass
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He has failed to get the the team over the finish line many of times. You can say that he underachieved during hie first run at Benfica, with the squad of players he had.
I guess if you scream how good you are loud enough, enough times, it...

He has failed to get the the team over the finish line many of times. You can say that he underachieved during hie first run at Benfica, with the squad of players he had.
I guess if you scream how good you are loud enough, enough times, it sticks. I think Benfica Manager's have been rather poor, and although I am a Vieira fan, he has had his share of reaches that haven't worked out. That being said, let's hope we can regroup and start fresh next season. A title run is a must and the Champions League performance has to improve dramatically.
We'll see what happens with transfers in this post Covid money troubles.

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Ed Gomes
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Good match, things got a bit heated in the end... Correction needed: please insert André Horta in the lineup, he replaced Al Musrati in the 75th minute.

Kind regards.

Vasco Amaral
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To see Sporting Clube de Braga win the Taça Portuguesa makes me really happy. Just enjoyed to see that this club really can punch above their weight and make their presence known among the Big Three. Just following their YouTube channel all...

To see Sporting Clube de Braga win the Taça Portuguesa makes me really happy. Just enjoyed to see that this club really can punch above their weight and make their presence known among the Big Three. Just following their YouTube channel all these years, to actually visiting their stadium, and now seeing them as a successful club at this stage is great to see, and victory over Benfica, no less! Congrats!

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Marky
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