A second-half goal by Hulk was enough to earn FC Porto three points at Braga tonight. After an exciting and high quality first half played at a frantic pace, the intensity of the game dropped significantly in the second forty-five minutes. But the Brazilian’s goal means anything other than three points for Benfica in Monday’s derby at Sporting and Porto would appear to have the title in the bag.

Braga lined up with exactly the same XI as at Benfica last Saturday, in front of a big crowd at their magnificent AXA Stadium. Porto boss Vitor Pereira pulled a surprise with his starting line-up, dropping Austrian striker Marc Janko in favour of Brazilian Kleber. Midfielder Fernando failed to shake off an injury and was replaced by Defour.

Porto were first to threaten, with the ever dangerous Hulk breaking fast and setting up a chance for Lucho, whose shot from the edge of the box was parried by Quim. A carbon copy move set up the Argentine for another effort in the 27th minute, and again Quim reacted well to beat away Lucho’s strike.

Braga hit back and after Lima had shown a clean pair of heels to Otamendi, the striker hit a firm cross-shot narrowly wide. The near miss triggered an intense spell of pressure from Braga. Defour nearly gave away a penalty, but his trip on the excellent Miguel Lopes was correctly ruled to have taken place just outside the box. From the resulting free kick Helton did well to push Viana’s fierce drive over the bar.
 

Although clear-cut chances were hard to come by, both sides were pushing forward at every opportunity in an open and highly entertaining game. Just before half time Hulk raced onto a pass on the left of the box and from a narrow angle hit a thunderous shot with his left foot. Braga’s veteran goalkeeper Quim responded with a breathtaking save, diving backwards and somehow clawing the ball away for a corner.

The second half started with a bang and what proved to be a key moment in the match. A neat exchange of quick passes between Helder Barbosa and Hugo Viana sent the latter clear on goal 15 yards out, but the classy midfielder leant back and rifled his shot over the bar. Just like with Mossoro last week against Benfica, a clamorous miss would come back to haunt Braga.

The unfortunate Viana was involved again, as a loose pass in his own half was picked up by James Rodriguez. The Columbian slipped the ball through to Hulk, who advanced into the box and beat Quim with a cross-shot that rolled into the net via the post.

The hosts initially reacted well to the setback, with Viana’s firmly struck free kick somewhat fortuitously deflected wide by Maicon. However, Porto did a good job at drawing the sting out of Braga’s forward momentum, and looked extremely dangerous on the counter-attack. From one such break Varela’s cross was poked inches wide of the post by James Rodriguez.
 

In the 78th minute Lima headed a corner over when he perhaps should have done better and shortly afterwards only a well-timed sliding interception by Otamendi prevented Paulo Cesar’s cross reaching Lima for what would have been a certain equaliser. That proved to be the last chance for Braga, and it was Porto who could have scored again in the dying moments, as Alex Sandro’s shot deflected just wide of the post.

Victory enables Porto to consolidate their position at the top of the table, moving onto 63 points, four points ahead of Benfica, who have played a game less. Braga remain in third on 58 points and while top spot now looks unlikely for the Arsenalistas, they are still in the hunt for the all-important runners-up spot, which brings the reward of automatic qualification to the group stages of next season’s Champions League.
 

by Tom Kundert

Braga:
Quim, Miguel Lopes, Douglao, Nuno Andre Coelho, Elderson, Marcio Mossoro, Custodio (Nuno Gomes, 83), Hugo Viana, Alan (Paulo Cesar, 68), Lima, Helder Barbosa (Carlao, 75)

FC Porto:
Helton, Sapunaru, Otamendi, Maicon, Alvaro Pereira (Alex Sandro, 63), Lucho Gonzalez, Defour, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez (Rolando, 83), Kleber (Varela, HT), Hulk

Goals:
[0-1] Hulk, 55’

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