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Nene goal sends Braga packing

Nacional 1-0 Braga

A second-half strike from Brazilian striker Nene, his seventh goal in all competitions this season, was enough for Nacional to knock out Braga and progress to the 5th round of the Portuguese Cup.

Manuel Machado’s team thus continue their highly positive start to the season. The Madeira outfit are riding high in the Liga Sagres and are still involved in both cup competitions.

After a dull first half where neither team tested the opposition goalkeeper, things improved significantly after the break.

A crass mistake from Braga centre-back Rodriguez put Nacional’s Fabiano clean through on goal, but a last-ditch Moises interception prevented a certain goal.

Brilliant Bracalli stop

Next it was Braga to threaten as Matheus shot powerfully, forcing goalkeeper Bracalli into a brilliant save.

Having survived the scare, the small crowd were soon celebrating taking the lead. With Rodriguez receiving treatment on the sidelines, Nacional took full advantage as Nene made contact with a Patacas cross from the right flank to break the deadlock.

Mateus should have doubled the hosts’ advantage soon afterwards after robbing the ball from Frechaut, but, one-on-one against Eduardo, the Portugal goalkeeper came out on top.

Braga stormed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, and Bracalli produced another spectacular save from a Cesar Peixoto free-kick.

Nacional’s defence held firm to book the islanders’ place in next Friday’s 5th-round draw.

Nacional:
Bracalli, Maicon, Felipe Lopes, Igor Pita, Patacas, Cleber, Luis Alberto (Edson Sitta, 49), Alonso, Fabiano (Juninho, 64), Nene, Mateus (Rafael Bastos, 89)
Yellow Cards: Cleber, Patacas, Rafael Bastos

Braga:
Eduardo, Frechaut, Moises, Rodriguez (Paulo Cesar, 73), Evaldo, Alan (Jorginho, 64), Vandinho, Luis Aguiar (Matheus, 60), Cesar Peixoto, Renteria, Meyong
Yellow Cards: Evaldo, Frechaut

Goals:
[1-0] Nene, 71