VAR saves Sporting from defeat, flat in Braga draw (0-0) | OneFootball

Sporting drew goalless against Braga at the Estádio Amélia Morais in the third round of the 2026/27 Liga BPI. The Lionesses were unable to find the way to the opposition goal and finished the match with just three shots.

The Sporting side struggled from the opening minutes against the opponent’s high press. Braga took territorial control and forced Sporting into a few mistakes in build-up play. Just three minutes in, Malu Schmidt tested Cassie Coster with a shot from outside the box, providing the game’s first warning.

The goalkeeper ended up playing an important role in keeping the score level. In the 30th minute, Cassie Coster saved a shot from McKenna Martinez and, moments later, denied Lidiane Antunes on the rebound. Before half-time, the same player had another chance, but shot wide.

In the second half, the picture did not change significantly and Braga continued to create the main dangerous chances. Malu Schmidt threatened again in the 58th and 59th minutes, first with a deflected shot and then with a clear-cut chance that went just over the bar. In the 70th minute, Braga even celebrated a goal, but Leah Lewis’s header, following a free-kick from Lidiane Antunes, was ruled out by VAR for offside.

The team coached by Micael Sequeira, who were coming off a heavy defeat in European competition, dropped their first points in the league and now have seven. The Lionesses’ next match is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September, at 7:45 pm, against Brondby, in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the Europa Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.