Braga beaten 4-2 by Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-offs | OneFootball

Braga’s Europa League ambitions took a big blow after a 4-2 defeat to Qarabag in the Europa League Knockout Round Play-off first leg.

The Azerbaijani champions took the lead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, Marko Jankovic beating Matheus after Víctor Gómez had brought down Elvin Cafarquliyev.

The Warriors equalised on the stroke of half-time when Sikou Niakaté’s effort was cleared off the line and Simon Banza pounced on the rebound.

The Quarry faithful were shocked in the second half when Qarabag scored three goals in 15 minutes.

Abdellah Zoubir netted after pouncing on a free kick, Juninho beat the offside trap and slotted the ball past Matheus before Leandro Andrade finished at the far post.

Roger Fernandes won a late penalty that was converted by João Moutinho, the goal reducing Braga’s deficit to two goals ahead of a tough trip to Baku next week.

Braga fall behind

Braga bossed the game from the get-go, Álvaro Djaló’s weak shot saved by Andrey Lunev and Abel Ruiz seeing his shot blocked after Lunev spilled Rodrigo Zalazar’s cross.

Simon Banza, returning to the side for the first time since the African Cup of Nations, then fired a weak shot straight at the busy goalkeeper.

Qarabag eventually got into the contest, former Chaves striker Juninho driving into the box and teeing up Leandro Andrade who couldn’t get the ball past Paulo Oliveira.

The Azarbaijan champions were making inroads down their left wing and it came to fruition in the 20th minute when they won a penalty.

Elvin Cafarquliyev went on a long run forward and surged towards the byline where he was brought down by Víctor Gómez. Marko Jankovic stepped up and slammed the spot kick into the bottom corner.

Banza equalises

It took some time for the Warriors to recover, the home crowd doing their best to help their side get back into the contest.

They did just that on the stroke of half-time when they were awarded a corner. Sikou Niakaté’s header was cleared off the line by Jankovic, Simon Banza on the spot to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

Braga had a bright start to the second half with Djaló’s shot saved and Vitor Carvalho missing the target.

Qarabag take control

It wasn’t a sign of things to come however, Qarabag regaining the lead in the 54th minute after Jankovic was fouled on the edge of the box.

Yassine Benzia’s free kick squeezed through the wall and fell to Abdellah Zoubir, the winger picking up the ball, rounding Matheus and converting from close range. There was a long VAR check before the goal was eventually confirmed.

Artur Jorge immediately introduced Roger Fernandes for Djaló.

Juninho dragged his shot wide but would get another chance in the 65th minute when he made it 3-1. Zoubir went a surging run and fed Juninho, the Brazilian striker beating the offside trap before slotting the ball past Matheus.

Rodrigo Zalazar made way for Pizzi who played a big role in Qarabag’s fourth goal less than a minute after being introduced.

He gave the ball away in a dangerous position, Toral Bayramov’s cross finding Leandro Andrade at the far post, the Brazilian squeezing the ball into the net despite Oliveria’s intervention.

Braga second best

Joe Mendes and Cher Ndour replaced Gómez and Carvalho but Braga were finding it hard to get past the Azerbaijani champions.

They were given a way back into the tie in the 90th minute when Fernandes was taken out by Matheus Silva. Referee Morten Krogh showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot where João Moutinho made no mistake.

Nariman Akhundzada had a great chance to dump more humiliation on the hosts, finding himself 1 on 1 with Matheus deep into added time but unable to convert.

Jorge under pressure

The home crowd voiced their displeasure after the final whistle, few inside the Quarry quite believing what they had seen in a long 90 minutes of football.

The League Cup victory has long been forgotten, Braga in danger of having little to play for during the final three months of the season.

Artur Jorge has been unable to fix Braga’s defence with clean sheets almost impossible to come by. It won’t be a quick fix, the recruitment department just as much to blame as the manager.

The defeat against Qarabag comes four days after another 5-0 defeat against Sporting Clube de Portugal at Estádio José Alvalade. Jorge has never been under pressure since becoming Braga boss, but that could be about to change.

By at the Quarry