Match Report
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Match Report
Match Report
The air is cold and hail stones bounce off the ground here at Estádio Municipal de Braga where Sporting Braga play host to S.L. Benfica. A crowd of 18,146 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Sporting Braga are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while S.L. Benfica appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Andre Marques.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Sporting Braga are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while S.L. Benfica appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Andre Marques.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Sporting Braga kick off!
16.59
0-0Paulo Castro makes a probing pass to Fabrizio Rinaldini. Fabrizio Rinaldini kicks a strong pass forward to Paulo Castro but the referee indicates it's offside!
20.09
0-0Paulo Castro makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Miguel Faria. Miguel Faria plays a quick one-two with Fabrizio Rinaldini and rushes in on goal... Miguel Faria comes through the middle and smashes a shot from 11 yards out but it flies just wide!
24.05
0-0Greg Gascoigne clumsily knocks into Maurice Van De Wey. Greg Gascoigne is shown the yellow card! Maurice Van De Wey runs off the knock.
30.12
0-1Miguel Faria makes a simple pass to Vitor Semedo. Vitor Semedo shoots from 20 yards. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
34.52
0-1Quim Barros plays the ball forward to Ruben Antunes. Ruben Antunes flicks a high pass forward. Greg Gascoigne holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Greg Gascoigne plays a one-two with Moreno Lantignotti and advances towards the goal... Greg Gascoigne strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal but Hannes Lindemann is on top of it.
38.51
Ruben Antunes threads the ball through to Cliff van der Hoek. Cliff van der Hoek plays a one-two with Mario Jardim and rushes in on goal... Cliff van der Hoek takes a shot at goal. Good keeping from Hannes Lindemann as he gets his fingers to the ball and pushes it wide.
40.04
0-1Corner kick to Sporting Braga. Ruben Antunes chips it out wide. Paulo Castro reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
44.25
Vitor Semedo decides to run forward with the ball. Vitor Semedo plays a quick one-two with Jose Moreira and rushes in on goal... Some good footwork from Vitor Semedo provides some space. He shoots at goal. Jermaine Sturridge gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
45.00
Morten Bögelund threads the ball through to Ruben Antunes. Ruben Antunes plays a quick one-two with Mike Hoogstrate and rushes in on goal... Ruben Antunes rockets a shot on goal. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is on top of it. Nice keeping!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Sporting Braga appear unchanged since the first half. S.L. Benfica also appear unchanged since the first half. The Sporting Braga players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
The whistle blows and S.L. Benfica kick off!
53.10
Ruben Antunes advances with the ball. Ruben Antunes makes a pass forward but Cliff van der Hoek makes his run far too early. Offside by a mile!
57.09
Ruben Antunes flicks a high ball forward to Moreno Lantignotti who takes it down. Moreno Lantignotti controls the ball well and immediately threads the ball forward, putting Cliff van der Hoek through on goal. Some good footwork from Cliff van der Hoek provides some space. He shoots at goal. Solid save from Hannes Lindemann. What a great pair of hands!
59.51
Fernando Santos hits a low pass to Paulo Castro. Paulo Castro sees Maurice Van De Wey in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Maurice Van De Wey lofts in a cross ball towards Jose Moreira. Jose Moreira finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Excellent save!
60.34
Paulo Castro flicks a high ball forward to Fabrizio Rinaldini who takes it down. Fabrizio Rinaldini plays a one-two with Miguel Faria and rushes in on goal... Fabrizio Rinaldini makes some space for himself and shoots at goal. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
71.01
Greg Gascoigne makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Moreno Lantignotti. Moreno Lantignotti shoots from distance. The ball comes in low, but Hannes Lindemann effortlessly smothers it!
73.24
0-2There is some beautiful football being played out on the pitch today.
77.07
0-2S.L. Benfica have made 2 substitutions with Bruno Barbosa replacing Maurice Van De Wey and Quim Loureiro replacing Jose Moreira .
79.12
Ruben Antunes knocks the ball to his team mate, Greg Gascoigne. Greg Gascoigne makes a great pass forward. Ruben Antunes sprints clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside! That was very close!
84.08
Vitor Semedo receives the ball from a throw-in from Paulo Castro. Vitor Semedo flicks a high pass forward to Quim Loureiro who brings the ball under control. Quim Loureiro sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. Quim Loureiro scores for S.L. Benfica!!
87.45
Ruben Antunes makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Cliff van der Hoek. Cliff van der Hoek threads the ball through into the box. Mike Hoogstrate muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. The keeper is more than a match for it. Good save!
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!
Match Statistics
Match Statistics
Goals
Shots on Target
Shots off Target
Offsides
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Possession
Play Area
Scorers
Match Ratings
Match Ratings
1. Jermaine Sturridge (GK)
6
2. Morten Bögelund (DEF)
6
3. Leonardo Garcia (DEF)
6
4. Quim Barros (DEF)
6
5. Jaime Varela (DEF)
6
6. Greg Gascoigne (MID)
6
7. Ruben Antunes (MID)
8
8. Mike Hoogstrate (ATT)
6
9. Mario Jardim (ATT)
6
10. Cliff van der Hoek (ATT)
6
11. Moreno Lantignotti (ATT)
6
12. Sebastiao Andrade (DEF)
0
13. Ray Paschetta (DEF)
0
14. Neil Souness (ATT)
0
1. Hannes Lindemann (GK)
8
2. Wayne Fenton (DEF)
6
3. Jose Fonseca (DEF)
6
4. Fernando Santos (DEF)
6
5. Alberto Viana (DEF)
6
6. Paulo Castro (MID)
7
7. Vitor Semedo (MID)
9
8. Maurice Van De Wey (MID)
6
9. Fabrizio Rinaldini (ATT)
8
10. Miguel Faria (ATT)
7
11. Jose Moreira (ATT)
6
12. Ruben Antunes (ATT)
0
13. Bruno Barbosa (MID)
6
14. Quim Loureiro (ATT)
7