|
|
Top of the Match
Lima
Braga
Braga
Lima
Braga
Braga
Flop of the Match
Julien Escudé
Sevilla
Sevilla
Andrés Palop
Sevilla
Sevilla
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Sevilla 3-4 Braga (Agg: 3-5): Lima Hat-Trick Stuns Nervionenses
Palop howlers cost Sevilla a place on Europe's biggest stage.
By Paul Madden
Sevilla failed to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League after a disappointing defeat to Braga at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville.
Seven goals in total were served up on a bizarre night in Andalusia as Andres Palop had a night to forget for the hosts. Matheus sent Braga on their way before a second half hat-trick from substitute Lima rendered goals from Luis Fabiano, Jesus Navas and Frederic Kanoute useless.
The opening to the second leg mirrored the first in many ways with los Nervionenses enjoying large spells of possession and piecing together some promising build-up play but ultimately the final ball was all too often woefully under par.
Navas, inevitably, was their most potent attacking threat down the right wing and regularly teased and twisted Elderson to great effect but his delivery into the box ranged from poor to inch perfect.
When the ball from Navas was accurate, both Fabiano and Kanoute were guilty of mistiming their leaps and getting under the ball, heading well over Felipe's crossbar.
After surviving the initial onslaught from their hosts, the Portuguese outfit gradually grew in confidence and began to pose real problems for Antonio Alvarez's men on the counterattack. Didier Zokora maintained his dynamic midfield endeavors in a bid to keep the home fires burning but around him, his tea- mates including Luca Cigarini and Diego Perotti looked to be struggling.
Midway through the first half Palop conceded a needless corner spilling Alan's long range effort and the hosts had to dig deep to weather a period of pressure from Braga.
Five minutes later, as Sevilla once again looked in control of the tie, the Portuguese outfit countered with a magnificent demonstration of fluid counterattacking play which ended with Paulo Cesar fizzing a low drive from distance which Palop parried into the path of the onrushing Matheus, who made no mistake slotting home underneath the 'keeper from a narrow angle to give Braga a crucial away goal.
Needing three goals now Sevilla and the home support knew they faced a massive uphill battle yet they lacked any real cutting edge and even after the interval were comfortably repelled by a resolute Braga rearguard.
In fact the visitors' efforts cannot be understated as they continued to give an exemplary display of disciplined counterattacking football and 13 minutes into the second period they got their reward for their patience as Matheus made a well-timed run down the right before squaring to substitute Lima, who smacked it home from close range with virtually his first touch of the game.
Three goals down on aggregate must have been the trigger Sevilla were looking for as they suddenly burst into life attacking with a real sense of urgency and they had a goal back instantly as Fabiano latched onto Fazio's through ball and fired goalwards, this time Felipe had a Palop moment spilling into his own net.
The urgency continued from the Andalusians with Fazio rattling the underside of the crossbar from eight yards. Navas also stung the palms of Felipe while substitute Jose Carlos added a fresh impetus to a team short on attacking ideas.
Signs of nerves did creep into the Braga defense for a brief period but they regained their composure and their discipline, stifling los Nervionenses momentum aided at times by some shameless play-acting, much to the frustration of Fabiano and company.
Even when Navas struck with seven minutes remaining, tucking a well taken chip beyond Felipe, Palop completed his nightmare as he singlehandedly contrived to crucify the home side's hopes with a staggering rush of blood to the head, racing off his goal line to gift a goal to Lima who rolled the ball into an empty net from outside the box.
Just on the 90 minutes, Lima completed his hat-trick with a near post header and there was still time for Kanoute to finally get a header on target, netting Sevilla's third from six yards as the contest came to an end.
Keep up to date with all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Seven goals in total were served up on a bizarre night in Andalusia as Andres Palop had a night to forget for the hosts. Matheus sent Braga on their way before a second half hat-trick from substitute Lima rendered goals from Luis Fabiano, Jesus Navas and Frederic Kanoute useless.
The opening to the second leg mirrored the first in many ways with los Nervionenses enjoying large spells of possession and piecing together some promising build-up play but ultimately the final ball was all too often woefully under par.
Navas, inevitably, was their most potent attacking threat down the right wing and regularly teased and twisted Elderson to great effect but his delivery into the box ranged from poor to inch perfect.
When the ball from Navas was accurate, both Fabiano and Kanoute were guilty of mistiming their leaps and getting under the ball, heading well over Felipe's crossbar.
After surviving the initial onslaught from their hosts, the Portuguese outfit gradually grew in confidence and began to pose real problems for Antonio Alvarez's men on the counterattack. Didier Zokora maintained his dynamic midfield endeavors in a bid to keep the home fires burning but around him, his tea- mates including Luca Cigarini and Diego Perotti looked to be struggling.
Midway through the first half Palop conceded a needless corner spilling Alan's long range effort and the hosts had to dig deep to weather a period of pressure from Braga.
Five minutes later, as Sevilla once again looked in control of the tie, the Portuguese outfit countered with a magnificent demonstration of fluid counterattacking play which ended with Paulo Cesar fizzing a low drive from distance which Palop parried into the path of the onrushing Matheus, who made no mistake slotting home underneath the 'keeper from a narrow angle to give Braga a crucial away goal.
Needing three goals now Sevilla and the home support knew they faced a massive uphill battle yet they lacked any real cutting edge and even after the interval were comfortably repelled by a resolute Braga rearguard.
In fact the visitors' efforts cannot be understated as they continued to give an exemplary display of disciplined counterattacking football and 13 minutes into the second period they got their reward for their patience as Matheus made a well-timed run down the right before squaring to substitute Lima, who smacked it home from close range with virtually his first touch of the game.
Three goals down on aggregate must have been the trigger Sevilla were looking for as they suddenly burst into life attacking with a real sense of urgency and they had a goal back instantly as Fabiano latched onto Fazio's through ball and fired goalwards, this time Felipe had a Palop moment spilling into his own net.
The urgency continued from the Andalusians with Fazio rattling the underside of the crossbar from eight yards. Navas also stung the palms of Felipe while substitute Jose Carlos added a fresh impetus to a team short on attacking ideas.
Signs of nerves did creep into the Braga defense for a brief period but they regained their composure and their discipline, stifling los Nervionenses momentum aided at times by some shameless play-acting, much to the frustration of Fabiano and company.
Even when Navas struck with seven minutes remaining, tucking a well taken chip beyond Felipe, Palop completed his nightmare as he singlehandedly contrived to crucify the home side's hopes with a staggering rush of blood to the head, racing off his goal line to gift a goal to Lima who rolled the ball into an empty net from outside the box.
Just on the 90 minutes, Lima completed his hat-trick with a near post header and there was still time for Kanoute to finally get a header on target, netting Sevilla's third from six yards as the contest came to an end.
Keep up to date with all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |