Braga 1-0 Sevilla: Matheus Gives Portuguese Slender Lead

Braga have taken a 1-0 first leg lead over Iberian rivals Sevilla in their Champions League play-off thanks to a Matheus strike just past the hour mark after the Spaniards failed to capitalize on their chances in a match which they dominated.

Braga, playing in front of their rowdy home fans at the Estadio AXA, took the game to their more illustrious opponents and pushed them back in the opening exchanges.

But it was the Spanish side who created the first threat after just four minutes. Jesus Navas jinked his way down the right flank before whipping in a cross to Luis Fabiano, who saw his thumping header crash against the post.

The Andalucians continued to dominate after but were unable to string an opening together as they were hassled off the ball in midfield by the physical Portuguese outfit.

Braga had their fans up on their feet on 17 minutes when Alan’s tantalizing cross was partially cleared by Julien Escude. The ball dropped beautifully for Leandro Salino but he blazed his follow-up well over the bar.

Just moments after that, Sevilla had the ball in the back of the net when Diego Capel burst down the left flank and squared to Kanoute, but the flag had already gone up for offside.

Fabiano was next to be caught offside after good work from Navas and some fancy footwork from Kanoute released the Brazilian through on goal. Navas and Capel continually created problems for the Braga backline down the wings but Os Arsenalistas packed the box to make sure any incoming deliveries were properly dealt with.

Despite Sevilla’s dominance, it was Braga who finished the first half the stronger and in fact almost took the lead on 44 minutes. Miguel Garcia released Matheus clean through on goal but his low shot was smothered by Andres Palop in a one-on-one.

Braga started the second half brightly in an attempt to catch their Iberian rivals off-guard, but it was Sevilla again who created the first chance of the restart. Fabiano fed Navas into the box down the left channel and the winger went for goal himself, but could only ripple the side netting.

In a near identical move, Kanoute then released Capel through on the opposite flank, but the left winger dragged a tame shot disappointingly wide.

As Los Nervionenses began to grow frustrated, the hosts started to grow in self-belief and on 62 minutes, they stormed into the lead. Paulo Cesar’s header from a Silvio cross was palmed away full stretch by Palop, but it fell nicely for Matheus to nod home the rebound from close range.

The Archbishops were now brimming with confidence and moments later, Alan forced an excellent save out of Palop with a curling 20-yard piledriver. Sevilla’s defense continued to crumble and It should have been 2-0 on 70 minutes when Salino slipped in Lima through on goal but Palop did well to close him down and swat his shot away.

Braga looked content to see out the first leg with a 1-0 advantage as they started pulling men back in the final ten minutes. The Blanquirrojos continued to press and create openings but there was never a final ball to trouble the Portuguese, who had an opportunity to bury the tie when Lima's thunderbolt shaved the top of the bar in the 90th minute. 

Sevilla's final attempt to equalize came in the 92nd minute when Fabiano's firm header from Navas' cross sailed straight into Felipe's arms, as Braga held on to take a slender advantage to Spain.

The return leg at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan will be played next Tuesday.