What looked like mission impossible at the start of the evening so nearly was accomplished as Braga won against the previously unbeaten Europa League table toppers Lazio, who finish top of the pile despite their defeat in Portugal tonight.

Ricardo Horta’s early goal earned the Guerreiros all three points, but the Braga captain missed a late chance one-on-one against Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas that would have made all the difference.

Braga finish in 25th position in the table and are out of Europe, agonisingly one goal short of earning a playoff place. José Ricardo Leite reports on a bitter-sweet night at the Quarry. 

One week without the roundup was enough to turn the most competitive competition in Portugal upside now. Not quite literally, but some teams joined different parts of the table, as well as different battles and objectives.

Leaders Tondela and Penafiel have been their firepower for some time now. They are lucky to have built an enormous advantage in their opposition. However, what used to be a nine-point gap has now shrunk to just three points. Torreense is the only team that has kept its place as a clear contender, despite the draw against the mighty Benfica B. 

Benfica’s UEFA Champions League campaign will continue in the play-offs after a 2-0 win against Juventus in Turin.

The Eagles took the lead in the 16th minute when Fredrik Aursnes picked out Alexander Bah, the defender squaring the ball to Vangelis Pavlidis who beat Mattia Perin.

Francisco Conceição tried hard to inspire the Serie A side but they continually gave the ball away in their own half, Perin doing well to deny Pavlidis on the stroke of half-time.

Juventus started the second half strong but were unable to beat Anatolii Trubin, their best chance falling to Douglas Luiz who couldn't beat the Ukrainian goalkeeper.

Benfica doubled their advantage in the 80th minute when Kerem Aktürkoglu left Pavlidis’ pass for Orkun Kökçü, the Turk picking up the ball and placing it into the bottom corner.

It was a vital victory for Bruno Lage and his team who ended up 16th on the table. They will face Monaco or Brest in the knockout phase play-offs, the winners to take on Barcelona or Liverpool in the Round of 16.

Sporting 1-1 Bologna

It was far from spectacular but Sporting got the job done in Lisbon tonight, securing the point they needed to guarantee a playoff place for a chance to make the last 16 of the Champions League.

A Tommaso Pobega header from a deflected cross midway through the first half put Bologna ahead and only a brilliant save by Franco Israel prevented the same player from doubling the Italian team’s lead early in the second half.

Sporting had their chances throughout but had to wait until the 77th minute to score the equaliser when a fine move allowed Conrad Harder to score from close in.

Tom Kundert reports from the Estádio José Alvalade.