20 August 2007, by Tom Kundert

Champions hit the ground running

Braga 1-2 FC Porto

Ricardo Quaresma scored a superb double as Porto escaped from Braga with a hard-earned victory after an excellent football match tonight. Veteran Joao Pinto equalised in between for the home team, but Quaresma’s stunning angled strike from a free kick in the 83rd minute gave Porto all three points.

Both teams started the match playing aggressive attacking football, albeit without creating too much in the way of clear-cut chances.

Tarik and Bosingwa saw decent strikes saved by Braga goalkeeper Dani, standing in for the injured Paulo Santos, while Vandinho and Joao Pinto responded for the Arsenalistas but failed to trouble Helton.

It was left to Quaresma to break the deadlock when he sent a powerful 25-metre free-kick flying into the corner of the net. Although the shot had plenty of venom, Dani will feel he should have done better.

Brilliant Pinto strike

Porto went into the break leading, but were surprised right at the start of the second half as Joao Pinto rolled back the years with a vintage goal. A lightning one-two played with Vandinho led to a shooting chance with Pinto expertly side-footing past Helton on the run to draw the scores level.

Braga were now playing their part in an end-to-end match, but it was the champions who carved out the better chances, with Lucho Gonzalez superbly setting up Postiga whose shot was well stopped by Dani, and Raul Meireles forcing the home keeper into a spectacular save in the 71st minute.

The home side gradually began to retreat, seemingly happy with a point, and were made to pay by the inevitable Quaresma. A free-kick from a tight angle just outside the penalty area seemed destined for a cross, but the winger produced a magnificent direct shot on goal that crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.

Porto held on without alarm for the final few minutes and will be delighted to have started the defence of their title with a win at a ground they lost at last season. Despite the defeat Braga proved they again have a strong team this term and look set for a positive campaign.

Braga:
Dani, Joao Pereira, Rodriguez, Paulo Jorge, Cesar Peixoto, Frechaut, Vandinho, Joao Pinto, Hussain (Ze Manel, 63), Joao Tomas (Jailson, 75), Wender
Yellow Cards: Vandinho, Frechuat, Joao Pinto

FC Porto:
Helton, Bosingwa, Bruno Alves, Pedro Emanuel, Cech, Paulo Assuncao, Raul Meireles, Lucho (Leandro Lima, 65), Quaresma, Adriano (Helder Postiga, 35), Tarik (Mariano Gonzalez, 60)
Yellow Cards: Tarik, Postiga

Goals:
[0-1] Quaresma, 34
[1-1] Joao Pinto, 47
[1-2] Quaresma, 83