9 March 2007, by Tom Kundert

Braga comeback undone by last-gasp Keane

Braga 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Braga’s European dream is hanging by a thread after being beaten 3-2 at home by Tottenham Hotspur last night.

After being outplayed for the majority of the match and falling two goals behind, Braga staged a remarkable comeback with two goals in five minutes from captain Paulo Jorge and Ze Carlos, only to lose to a stoppage time strike by Robbie Keane.

Jorge Costa had promised an audacious Braga before the match, but in a one-sided first half the hosts had their international goalkeeper Paulo Santos to thank for keeping them on level terms.

Time and again Tottenham’s dangerous forward line of Lennon, Keane and Berbatov tore through the Braga defence, with the Bulgarian particularly causing no end of problems.

Santos saviour

Santos made a series of impressive saves, most notably in the 34th minute when he stuck out his right hand to deflect a Robbie Keane shot that seemed destined for the back of the net.

The second half initially threatened to be a different story as Ze Carlos turned well in the 49th minute and shot just wide. But it was the travelling supporters who were celebrating soon afterwards when Lennon and Keane combined for the latter to finally beat Santos and give Spurs the lead.

Costa freshened up the Braga attack by throwing on Diego and Cesinha for Wender and Gama but the tie appeared over when Malbranque doubled Tottenham’s lead shortly afterwards.

Braga were then given a lifeline when Diego won a penalty and Paulo Jorge found the net at the second attempt after Robinson had saved his spot kick. And it got better as ten minutes from time the home crowd erupted in joy as Ze Carlos headed in a Castanheira cross to bring the scores level at 2-2.

The home team at last began to play with verve and intention as they attempted to force an unlikely victory. Maciel should have done better from a headed chance before two late corners saw the Premiership club wobble.

But it would be Robbie Keane who gave Tottenham the last laugh as he latched on to a throughball to score the winning goal.

PortuGOAL man of the match
Paulo Santos: The big Braga stopper kept his side in the match in the first half with a series of sharp saves.

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez, Carlos Fernandes, Andrade, Castanheira, Bruno Gama (Cesinha, 68), Joao Pinto (Maciel, 79), Wender (Diego, 68), Ze Carlos

Tottenham:
Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Lee Young-Poo, Lennon, Tainio, Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov, Robbie Keane

Goals:
[0-1] Keane, 56
[0-2] Malbranque, 70
[1-2] Paulo Jorge, 76
[2-2] Ze Carlos, 81
[2-3] Keane, 92