Braga beat Sporting 4-3 after extra time to make the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup at the Quarry last night. The lead changed hands four times in a thrilling match, with Braga substitute Rui Fonte heading in the winner in the 111th minute.
Elsewhere Porto also made the last eight after a narrow 1-0 win at Feirense thanks to an early Aboubakar goal. Braga and Porto are joined in Monday's draw by Rio Ave, Nacional, Arouca, Gil Vicente, Estoril and the winner of today's Boavista-Académica match.
Braga 4-3 Sporting (a.e.t.)
It was a rerun of last May's Portuguese Cup final at the AXA. On that occasion the Lions came out on top in a dramatic match, but last night's encounter was no less exciting.
Sporting went into the game on the back of a 7-game winning run, while Braga have also impressed domestically and in Europe this season. The tie pitted together two sides that many argue are playing the best football in Portugal in 2015/16, and the 120 minutes of incident-packed action and high-quality goals backed up that idea.
The visitors got off to a perfect start as Bryan Ruiz got on the end of João Pereira's flicked-on throw-in and volleyed into the corner of the net. Braga levelled the scores shortly before the break through ex-Sporting striker Wilson Eduardo, who slotted past Patrício after being expertly played in by Rafa.
Braga took the lead in the 54th minute as the evergreen Alan's first-time shot from 15 yards into the ground rose into the net to beat Patrício. But the joy for the home fans was short-lived as a thunderous Slimani header made it 2-2 soon afterwards.
Ten minutes later and Sporting were back in front, William using his strength to good effect to win the ball on the edge of the box, followed by a firm and accurate low shot that curled into the corner of the net giving Matheus no chance.
Braga came back strongly, exploiting vacant spaces opening up as both teams tired, especially on the left side of Sporting's defence, with 36-year-old Alan showing that he continues to defy the years as he created havoc for Jefferson and company. It was Alan who instigated the move that swept from one flank to the other, the excellent Rafa providing his second assist as he teed up Goiano, whose deflected shot flew into the net to make it 3-3 and send the game into extra time.
There was no let-up in the action in the final 30 minutes. Braga substitute Rui Fonte shot against the post before controversy struck at the other end. A clever pass by Bryan Ruiz played in Slimani, who slotted into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, incorrectly as television replays would prove.
Braga were looking the fresher side and the Arsenalistas got their noses in front nine minutes before the final whistle, Rui Fonte heading into the net from close range.
Sporting threw everything at Braga in a desperate attempt to score what would have been the game's fourth equaliser, but Braga held on for a famous win in a memorable match.
Portuguese Cup 5th round results:
Amarante 1-2 Arouca
Braga 4-3 Sporting (a.e.t.)
Desportivo das Aves 2-2 Nacional*
Estoril 1-0 Penafiel
Feirense 0-1 FC Porto
Gil Vicente* 1-1 Portimonense
Vitória Setúbal 1-1 Rio Ave*
Today: Boavista-Académica
*Won on penalties
by Tom Kundert
