Braga drop points in the Primeira Liga after a 2-2 draw against AFS | OneFootball

Braga’s perfect start in the Primeira Liga came to an end after an entertaining 2-2 draw against AFS at the Quarry.

Rodrigo Zalazar converted a penalty in the 23rd minute before AFS fought back and took a 2-1 lead into half-time. Rafael Barbosa equalised with a comedy goal and Diego Duarte punished multiple errors to leave the home crowd stunned.

The Warriors dominated after the break but had to wait until the 87th minute to equalise, Leonardo Lelo’s pinpoint cross headed home by Fran Navarro.

Carlos Vicens and his side will be disappointed after ending the contest with 76% possession, 21-4 shots and 2.31-0.42 expected goals, Braga blowing a golden opportunity to maintain the pace at the top of the table.

Braga 2-2 AVS

AFS were well off the pace in the early stages, losing possession in a dangerous position which resulted in Pau Víctor narrowly missing the target. Roger Fernandes and Jean-Baptiste Gorby gave Simão some catching practice before Braga opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Roger drove into the box, bamboozled Leonardo Rivas and drew a foul from the defender, referee João Gonçalves showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Rodrigo Zalazar stepped up and converted the penalty off the post but the floodgates failed to open.

The visitors equalised five minutes later following a comedy goal that came straight from the circus. Guillem Molina’s deep cross found Tunde Akinsola who mistimed his volley and Rafael Barbosa failed to connect cleanly, Lukas Hornicek diving in anticipation which saw the ball roll agonisingly over the line.

Zalazar headed Leonardo Lelo’s against the post before AFS took the lead in the 34th minute. Hornicek and Gustaf Lagerbielke were unable to clear the ball, Barbosa steering Diogo Spencer’s wayward pass to Diego Duarte who strolled past Lagerbielke and fired past Hornicek.

Roger went through on goal before the break but was unable to pull the trigger, Rivas doing well to do get back and knock the winger off balance.

Braga started the second half on the front foot, José Mota wasting little time in bringing on Pedro Lima and Guilherme Neiva for Barbosa and Akinsola. Carlos Vicens made two changes, Roger and Amine El Ouazzani making way for Mario Dorgeles and Gabri Martínez.

Zalazar fired wide and Víctor tested Simão as Vicens went to his bench again in the 79th minute, going for broke by replacing Lagerbielke and Víctor with Sandro Vidigal and Fran Navarro.

It paid off as the Warriors eventually equalised in the 87th minute, a pinpoint cross from Lelo finding Navarro who beat Simão to the ball and headed it into the net.