Benfica 2-2 Braga: Eagles see Champions League spot slip away at the Luz | OneFootball

Andreas Schjelderup, here up against Victor Goméz, was in electric form for Benfica (Photo: Arlindo Alves Homem ©)

Benfica’s final home match of the season ended in disappointment as Braga held them to what could be a costly 2-2 draw.

As a consequence city rivals Sporting overtake the Eagles and move into second place – the last position with a ticket to Champions League football next season – and the point is enough for Braga to guarantee a 4th-place finish.

Benfica made most of the running in a one-sided first half but had to wait until after the break to take the lead, Rafa Silva turning in Gianluca Prestianni’s shot after a quick breakaway. Braga hit back immediately, the ever-impressive Pau Victor heading in a Victor Gómez cross.

The hosts continued to surge forward propelled by the electric Andreas Schjelderup, chances came and went, but it was Braga who stunned the home crowd when Gorby Baptiste curled a brilliant 25-yarder into the corner of the net late on.

There was still time for Benfica to pull a goal back from the penalty spot in stoppage time, Pavlidis converting emphatically after Schjelderup had been felled in the box, but a draw felt like a defeat for home team and their fans. Sahir Bhojwani and Tom Kundert report from the Estádio da Luz.

Benfica on top in first half

Benfica started the stronger of the two sides early on. Their attackers connected and created some good opportunities, threatening in the first five minutes. In the 3rd minute, they even had the ball in the net following a corner. Ivanovic thought he had put his team ahead before the goal was called back for a 4cm offside.

The first chance for Braga came in the 15th minute with a curler that sailed past the right post from Gabri Martínez

Seconds later, the home supporters were treated to a brilliant piece of skill by Schjelderup to evade three defenders. The Norwegian scooped a teasing ball into the box, and at one point, it looked like it had been handled by a desperate Leonardo Lelo as he managed to just about clear the danger.

Rafa then forced a fantastic save from Lukáš Horníček, with the keeper stretching to palm away a shot that looked destined for the bottom left corner.

As the seconds wound down toward the halftime whistle, Leandro Barreiro had time to compose himself and head towards goal, but Hornicek was well-positioned to gather the ball.

Hosts start to feel the pressure

At the interval, Mourinho would’ve known that his team were trailing Sporting after the Lions had gone into the break with a 2-1 lead over Rio Ave. The Eagles went on the attack right off the bat and were able to capitalise after some sloppy Braga play.

Prestianni came up with the assist this time after an uncharacteristic mistake from experienced Portuguese midfielder Moutinho, who gave the ball away carelessly. Rafa caught the ball in his stride, and it was a simple tap-in for the attacker. It had taken less than 30 seconds in the second half for Benfica to break through following the whistle.

Pau Victor answers back

However, Pau Victor responded almost instantly for the visitors with a beautifully timed header in the 47th minute. Braga’s record signing showed his power and precision in the box. The former La Masia star was able to connect with a looping cross from Víctor Gómez to head in the equaliser.

In the 54th minute it was Fredrik Aursnes knocking on the door, a low shot from the Norwegian producing a quality save from Hornicek.

While Benfica pushed forward, Braga did everything they could to retain a valuable point. The cards start to fly out with Horníček and Lelo within a couple of minutes picking up yellows.

The chances for Benfica continued to flow. Prestianni and Araújo both had good opportunities before the 60-minute mark.

Pavlidis goal chalked off

With 30 minutes remaining, Mourinho turned to his secret weapon. Pavlidis, a player who has led the Eagles in goals over the last two seasons, was thrown on to get that all-important winner. Within three minutes, the imposing striker had the ball in the net after meeting a low pass from Schjelderup. The goal led to wild celebrations at the Luz, a celebration that was short-lived. After a review, it became clear the ball had rolled out of play before Schjelderup’s cross.

Schjelderup has turned into Benfica’s key attacking player in the course of the campaign, and the young winger continued to pester the Braga defenders as the match progressed.

A corner in the 84th minute almost produced one of the unlikeliest of heroes, with António Silva’s header sailing just wide. A glorious opportunity for the 22-year-old defender to give his club that crucial second goal.

Gorby stunner

Just when it seemed that Benfica were on the verge of edging this contest, the tide turned. In the 88th minute, it was Gorby who provided an exquisite finish to give the visitors a surprising lead. An unstoppable right-footed shot from the youngster that, if we are being honest, no keeper in the world would have had a chance of saving.

Benfica then took it up a notch. They produced very little in the way of chances on goal, but when Schjelderup’s left foot was stepped on in the box, the referee awarded a late penalty to give the home supporters a glimmer of hope. Pavlidis once again stepped up to smash home from the spot, levelling the match with a few minutes still remaining.

Benfica’s second goal, though, was too little too late. In the end, the point does little for Mourinho’s men, who now face an uphill battle to catch rivals Sporting on the final day. Only if Benfica win at Estoril and Sporting fail to beat Gil Vicente at home will the Eagles reclaim second place. Any other combination of results and Sporting will be runners-up to Porto.

Benfica 2-2 Braga highlights