Braga back from the brink to beat Real Betis 4-2 and advance in the Europa League | OneFootball

Braga staged an incredible comeback in Sevilla, overturning an early 2-0 deficit at to beat Real Betis 4-2 and reach the Europa League semi-finals.

Real Betis began brightly in front of a packed house, the home crowd painting Estadio de La Cartuja green and making plenty of noise.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side responded, Antony’s shot tipped wide by Lukas Hornicek before Chuco Hernández went close.

The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Abde Ezzalzouli’s deflected cross hung in the air, Braga’s defence nowhere to be seen which allowed Antony to head the ball in off the post.

Bright Arrey-Mbi pick up an injury and was replaced by Gabriel Moscardo who joined Vitor Carvalho and Gustaf Lagerbielke in the back three.

Braga’s backline were exposed again in the 26th minute. Pablo Fornals played a 1-2 with Antony before sending a cross into Abde Ezzalzouli, the winger executing an easy finish.

Real Betis put the ball into the net again not long after. Antony raced into the box where he lost his feet, doing enough to get to the ball to Ezzalzouli who beat Hornicek. The goal was ruled out due to Antony being narrowly offside.

Vitor Carvalho was booked for a comical foul on Ezzalzouli as Braga’s struggles continued. Just when it appeared that Betis would run away with it, Braga got a goal back in the 38th minute.

The hosts botched two attempts to clear a cross, Víctor Gómez eventually heading the ball over to Pau Víctor who saw his volley squeeze past Pau López.

The second half began with Gabri Martínez winning two free kicks down the left wing. The second would result in Braga squaring the game and the tie.

Ricardo Horta delivered a perfect free kick into the danger area, Carvalho rising highest and heading the ball into the net.

The game turned completely upside down in the 53rd minute when Braga took the lead. Gómez released Demir Ege Tiknaz who got ahead of Sofyan Amrabat and was brought down.

Referee Davide Massa immediately pointed to the spot where Horta sent López the wrong way.

Carvalho was fortunate to avoid a second booking which saw Carlos Vicens make a double switch in the 62nd minute, Carvalho and Tiknaz replaced by Paulo Oliveira and Fran Navarro.

Manuel Pellegrini went to his bench and brought on Aitor Ruibal for Álvaro Fidalgo.

Betis began to get back into the game before Marc Bartra was booked for a foul on Victor. The striker stayed down which allowed Vicens to gather his players on the touchline for a drink and to discuss tactics.

If the home crowd were not already stunned, they were definitely shocked in the 74th minute when Braga took a 4-2 lead.

Gabri’s cross was cleared straight to Jean-Baptiste Gorby who decided to have a crack, his shot taking two deflections and getting past López.

Pellegrini threw on Valentín Gómez, Nelson Deossa and Cédric Bakambu, Vicens introducing Leonardo Lelo and João Moutinho.

Shellshocked Betis supporters began to give up on their team and vacate their seats as Braga controlled the remainder of the contest.

Real Betis and their supporters completely demoralised after thinking they had a semi-final spot in the bag,

Bakaumbu and Pablo Garcia tested Hornicek in added time but it was Braga who should have iced the cake. Gustaf Lagerbielke’s long header found Horta behind enemy lines, he went for power instead of placement and smashed the ball straight into López.

Braga will now face Freiburg in the semi-finals, the Warriors aiming to replicate their final appearance in 2011.

Lineups

Real Betis (4-3-3) Pau López; Héctor Bellerín (Nelson Deossa 77’), Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodríguez (Valentín Gómez 78’); Pablo Fornals (Cédric Bakambu 77’), Sofyan Amrabat, Álvaro Fidalgo (Aitor Ruibal 66’); Antony (Pablo García 83’), Cucho Hernández, Abde Ezzalzouli

Unused substitutes: Álvaro Valles, Adrián, Sergi Altimira, Marc Roca, Isco, Rodrigo Riquelme, Chimy Ávila

Coach: Manuel Pellegrini

Braga (3-5-2) Lukas Hornicek; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Vitor Carvalho (Paulo Oliveira 62’), Bright Arrey-Mbi (Gabriel Moscardo 20’); Víctor Gómez, Demir Ege Tiknaz (Fran Navarro 62’), Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Florian Grillitsch, Gabri Martínez (Leonardo Lelo 81’); Ricardo Horta, Pau Victor (João Moutinho 81’)

Unused substitutes: Tiago Sá, João Carvalho, Yanis da Rocha, Mario Dorgeles, Luisinho, Rodrigo Zalazar, Amine El Ouazzani

Goals: