Braga’s Europa League campaign ends despite a 3-2 extra time win against Qarabag | OneFootball

Braga have been eliminated from the Europa League after a thrilling 3-2 extra time win against Qarabag.

Down 4-2 after the first leg, the Warriors were given a helping hand in the 57th minute when Elvin Cafarquliyev was sent off.

The Portuguese club made it count, Roger Fernandes controlling and converting Bruma’s cross in the 70th minute before Álvaro Djaló did it all himself to send the tie to extra-time.

Djaló conceded a free kick which saw Matheus Silva restore the host’s advantage, the Warriors drawing level once again after Simon Banza won and converted a penalty.

There was more drama to come in added time when Badavi Hüseynov’s caught Braga’s defence asleep, Nariman Akhundzade taking advantage to beat Matheus and be crowned the hero in Baku.

Qarabag on top

Braga started well in Baku, Simon Banza slipping as he sent the first shot wide. It wasn't a sign of things to come, the Azerbaijani champions showing once again that they can play.

Qarabag got into the contest and turned on the style, enjoying plenty of penetration out wide. They stayed on the front foot, Abdellah Zoubir’s dangerous cross cut out by Sikou Niakaté.

Leandro Andrade started to see some action on the right wing, sending a weak shot at Matheus before a another effort saw the goalkeeper divert the ball wide. The Brazilian would have the final chance of the half, a heavy touch giving Matheus time to come off his line and smother the danger.

Álvaro Djaló replaced Pizzi at the break but it was Qarabag who continued to threaten, Andrade releasing Marko Vesovic who forced a save from Matheus.

Elvin Cafarquliyev sent off

The game took a big turn within four minutes as Elvin Cafarquliyev was booked for successive fouls on Roger Fernandes.

Artur Jorge brought on Cher N'Dour, Bruma, Rony Lopes and Vitor Carvalho with Rodrigo Zalazar, Víctor Gómez, Cristián Borja and João Moutinho making way.

The Warriors stepped on the gas, Fernandes curling an effort wide before Braga reduced the deficit in the 70th minute. Bruma's deep cross was controlled by Roger, the 18-year-old squeezing his shot into the bottom corner.

Qurban Qurbanov tried to regain some control by bringing on Matheus Silva and Hamidou Keyta for Leandro Andrade and Juninho.

Braga draw level before dramatic finale

Abel Ruiz put the ball in the net before the goal was ruled out for hand ball, but it mattered little as the visitors squared the tie in the 83rd minute. Álvaro Djaló did it all himself, stepping inside Vesovic and executing a sweet strike past an obstructed Andrey Lunev.

The game went to extra time where Djaló was booked for an ugly challenge on Matheus Silva. It proved a costly error as Marko Jankovic’s free kick was headed away by Banza which saw Silva pouncem, swivel and send a low shot past Matheus.

There was more drama to come as Braga squared the tie in the 115th minute. Djaló headed the ball to Banza who was brought down by Bahlul Mustafazada, a clear penalty that Banza dispatched with ease.

A penalty shootout loomed but it wasn’t to be as the depleted hosts scored a dramatic goal in added time. Badavi Hüseynov’s quick free kick found Nariman Akhundzade, the substitute stepping inside Djaló and beating Matheus to send the home crowd into ecstasy.

Sloppy defending costs Braga once again

I sound like a broken record this season because Braga's ability to keep clean sheets is basically zero. It cost them in the 4-2 first leg defeat in Portugal and they conceded another two goals in Azerbaijan.

Artur Jorge and his side will spend the rest of the season attempting to chase Porto, but realistically they are holding off Vitória de Guimarães and securing fourth spot.

Qarabag deserve credit, midfielder Marko Jankovic outstanding once again and surely increasing his market value. Credit also to Qurban Qurbanov, the manager at the helm of the first Azerbaijani team to reach the Europa League Round of 16.

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