19 November 2006, by Marco Pereira

Braga blast three past Benfica

Braga 3-1 Benfica

Sporting Braga registered an impressive 3-1 win over Benfica in front of new coach, Rogerio Goncalves. The home side looked the hungrier of the two as their players clearly wanted to impress the new boss, while Benfica looked sluggish and lifeless the whole game.

Goals from Ze Carlos, Maciel and Paulo Jorge gave the northerners a thoroughly deserved victory, with Ricardo Rocha scoring against his former club for Benfica.

Perhaps it was a sign of what was in store for Benfica as Braga got on the scoreboard in the 7th minute when Ze Carlos took advantage of a massive attack of brain cramp by goalkeeper, Quim. As the international keeper attempted to clear he only succeeded in sending the ball straight to the Braga forward, leaving the net wide open and Ze Carlos made no mistake.

The home side were motivated before the game started and were even more so now thanks to the unexpected gift. Braga put their opposition under tremendous pressure by constantly pressing and looking to take advantage of any errors.

Braga almost doubled their lead on a couple of occasions, with Ze Carlos again the catalyst, just missing the net with a low shot in the 22nd minute and a header one minute later that grazed Quim’s right post.

Goalkeeper gaffe

Benfica’s first real response came in the 31st minute when it was the turn of Braga goalkeeper, Paulo Santos, to make a mess of things as he bobbled a Katsouranis header along the goal line, where an alert Ricardo Rocha pounced on the juicy rebound to bring the score level.

The goal seemed to energise Benfica who looked poised take the lead seven minutes later when a firm Nuno Gomes header from point-blank range was stopped by Paulo Santos. Braga then marched up field and almost nipped their second goal when ex-Benfica forward, Joao Pinto, attempted a cheeky chip from way outside of the box that hit the top of the crossbar.

In the 41st minute Braga retook the lead when Maciel was launched by a Joao Pinto throughball. The player ran 20 metres forward and hit a low shot that beat Quim at the near post to make it 2-1 with the goalkeeper again at fault.

The second half was not played at the same tempo as the first, but Braga were still on top with a strangely muted Benfica looking unlikely to turn the match around. Braga’s first good chance of the half came in the 68th minute when a Maciel shot was tipped over the bar by Quim.

Benfica had a glorious chance to draw level again in the 79th minute when an unmarked Simao headed a Karagounis cross over the bar. Once again, as Benfica failed to convert their chance, Braga took full advantage when captain Paulo Jorge connected with a Castanheira free kick and his header bounced off the far post and into the net to seal the victory.

A well-deserved victory for Braga and a perfect start for their new coach. The win should boost morale before they take on Seville in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. As for Benfica, it was a desperately disappointing result for the Lisbon club before their crucial Champions League tie with FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Rogerio Goncalves, Braga coach:

“It went very well. It was a difficult game on a slippery pitch, but we managed a just victory. We knew how to be organised and attack with precision. Braga won on merit. It appeared the Benfica were bad, but that only occurred because my team were very strong and played a good game.”

“One week is very little time to instil my hallmark. Some aspects are due to my merit, overall with regard to the defence, but also a huge part must go to the former coaching staff. We will go to Seville with the intention to win. We must believe.”

Fernando Santos, Benfica coach:

“We have to congratulate Braga who were just victors. We suffered a goal that was not normal but managed to react and draw level. When we were on top we ended up suffering the second goal and everything became more complicated. Braga are an experienced team, strong in the counter attack.”

“I refuse to blame the stoppage in the championship for the performance. We had some good moments, but did not sustain a good level. Benfica must do more.”

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Irineu, Paulo Jorge, Carlos Fernandes, Madrid, Ricardo Chaves (Frechaut, 85), Joao Pinto (Wender, 52), Maciel, Ze Carlos (Castanheira, 70), Cesinha
Yellow Cards: Maciel (20), Carlos Fernandes (44), Cesinha (55), Ricardo Chaves (78)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Ricardo Rocha, Anderson, Miguelito, Petit, Katsouranis (Karagounis, 46), Simao, Nuno Assis (Paulo Jorge, 71), Fabrizio Miccoli, Nuno Gomes
Yellow Cards: Petit (65), Paulo Jorge (80), Fabrizio Miccoli (85), Anderson (90)

Goals:
[1-0] Ze Carlos, 7
[1-1] Ricardo Rocha, 31
[2-1] Maciel, 41
[3-1] Paulo Jorge, 81