Braga 2-2 Sporting CP - Late penalty dents the Lions’ title aspirations | OneFootball

Sporting CP conceded a penalty deep into added time as Braga snatched a 2-2 draw at the Quarry.

Braga had plenty of the ball early on but were unable to turn possession into opportunities. Sporting were looking more likely to break the deadlock, Geny Catamo’s fourth shot winning a corner that was the source of the opening goal.

Pedro Gonçalves delivered the ball into the danger area in the 22nd minute, Gonçalo Inácio rising high and heading the ball into the net. Trincão sent Luis Suarez through on goal two minutes later, the striker unable to beat Lukas Hornicek.

Braga created their first chance in the 34th minute and made it count. João Moutinho picked out Rodrigo Zalazar who got past Catamo, the Uruguayan delivering a perfect cross for Ricardo Horta who made no mistake.

Paulo Oliveira had been struggling to contain Suarez, the 34-year-old booked before the break and conceding another foul that went unpunished.

The Primeira Liga top scorer was proving problematic for Braga's defence and won a penalty on the stroke of half time. Bright Arrey-Mbi handled the ball, Suarez stepping up and beating Hornicek from the spot.

Carlos Vicens took Oliveira out of the firing line at half time and brought on Gabriel Moscardo.

Both teams showed plenty of attacking intent in the second half. Iván Fresneda got back to deny Horta a goal scoring opportunity before Braga’s captain went close to getting on the end of another Zalazar cross.

The hosts maintained the pressure without testing Rui Silva, Rui Borges making his intentions clear in the 81st minute when he brought on Eduardo Quaresma for Catamo.

Zalazar’s penalty claim was denied but Braga would earn a spot kick with 10 seconds remaining. Horta’s shot was handled by Inácio, Zalazar sending Silva the wrong way to earn the hosts a point.

The Lions were second away from closing the gap behind Porto to one point. With the Dragons facing a tough clash against Benfica at Estádio da Luz, Sporting will be disappointed they couldn't close it out.

Horta summed it up well after full time: "The game is only over when the referee blows the whistle. We tried to score, the penalty came, and we deservedly achieved a draw."