“Florian Grillitsch opens the scoring for Sporting Braga with a close-range finish following Diego Rodrigues' corner delivery”
Pivotal“João Moutinho forced off early with an injury, disrupting Sporting Braga's midfield rhythm”
“Cucho Hernández converts the penalty with a precise right-footed shot into the left corner to level the tie”
Pivotal
Sporting Braga
Real Betis
Sporting Braga took an early lead through Florian Grillitsch's close-range finish from a corner but were pegged back by Cucho Hernández's penalty just after the hour mark in this Europa League first leg. Despite dominating possession (64%) and territory at home, Braga were wasteful in front of goal, registering just three shots on target from seven attempts while creating only two big chances. Real Betis showed clinical efficiency, converting one of their two major opportunities through the penalty spot after Abde Ezzalzouli was fouled in the box. The visitors' direct approach troubled Braga's defense, with Betis recording more shots (11) and shots on target (6) despite having just 36% possession, setting up an intriguing second leg with the tie perfectly balanced.
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Sikou Niakaté of Sporting Braga.
Missed chance. Antony from Real Betis took a right-footed shot from outside the box after a fast break.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Víctor Gómez of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Rodrigo Riquelme fouled a player from Real Betis.
Substitution for Sporting Braga: Gabriel Moscardo replaces Pau Víctor.
Substitution for Sporting Braga: Demir Ege Tiknaz replaces Florian Grillitsch.
Sikou Niakaté of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Sikou Niakaté of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Substitution for Real Betis: Chimy Ávila replaces Cucho Hernández.
Foul committed by João Moutinho for Sporting Braga.
Substitution for Real Betis: Rodrigo Riquelme replaces Abde Ezzalzouli.
Substitution for Sporting Braga: Fran Navarro replaces Ricardo Horta.
Substitution for Sporting Braga: Mario Dorgeles replaces Gabri Martínez.
Florian Grillitsch of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Aitor Ruibal from Real Betis committed a foul.
Florian GrillitschYellow CardFlorian Grillitsch of Sporting Braga receives a yellow card for a foul.
Nelson Deossa of Real Betis won a free kick in defense.
Cucho Hernández is called offside for Real Betis.
Sikou Niakaté's header from close range is blocked. The assist came from Ricardo Horta, who delivered the cross.
NatanYellow CardNatan from Real Betis receives a yellow card for a foul.
Sporting Braga wins a corner after Marc Bartra concedes.
Antony's shot from outside the box is blocked. The assist came from Pablo Fornals, who set him up with a header.
Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis is flagged for offside.
Gabri Martínez of Sporting Braga is called offside.
Substitution for Real Betis: Nelson Deossa replaces Marc Roca.
Substitution for Real Betis: Sergi Altimira replaces Álvaro Fidalgo.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Cucho Hernández scores for Real Betis with a right-footed shot into the left corner. The match remains 1-1.
GorbyYellow CardJean-Baptiste Gorby of Sporting Braga receives a yellow card for a foul.
Jean-Baptiste Gorby of Sporting Braga concedes a penalty after committing a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty awarded to Real Betis as Abde Ezzalzouli is fouled in the penalty area.
Marc RocaYellow CardMarc Roca of Real Betis receives a yellow card for a foul.
Víctor Gómez from Sporting Braga earned a free kick in the attacking zone.
Foul committed by Marc Roca of Real Betis.
Florian Grillitsch of Sporting Braga attempts an attack with a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Pau López of Real Betis saves it in the top right corner. The assist comes from Jean-Baptiste Gorby.
Cucho Hernández's shot for Real Betis from the right side of the box is blocked. Antony provided the assist.
Pau Víctor from Sporting Braga earned a free kick in an attacking position.
Fouled by Álvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis.
João Moutinho from Sporting Braga won a free kick on the right wing.
Marc Roca from Real Betis commits a foul.
Sporting Braga wins a corner after Antony concedes.
Foul committed by Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sporting Braga.
Ricardo Rodríguez of Real Betis won a free kick on the left wing.
Natan from Real Betis commits a foul.
Pau Víctor of Sporting Braga won a free kick in the attacking area.
Substitution for Real Betis: Antony replaces Sofyan Amrabat.
Substitution for Real Betis: Antony replaces Sofyan Amrabat.
The first half ends with Sporting Braga leading Real Betis 1-0.
Pau Víctor had a missed chance for Sporting Braga, shooting with his right foot from the left side of the box but missing to the left. The assist came from Víctor Gómez.
João Moutinho's shot from the center of the box is blocked. The assist came from Víctor Gómez.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
New attacking attempt. Álvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved by goalkeeper Lukás Hornícek of Sporting Braga, positioned in the center of the goal. The assist came from Abde Ezzalzouli.
New attacking attempt. Cucho Hernández of Real Betis takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Lukás Hornícek of Sporting Braga saves it in the top center of the goal. The assist was made by Álvaro Fidalgo.
Pablo Fornals of Real Betis attempts an attack, shooting with his right foot from the right side of the box, but his shot is saved by Sporting Braga's goalkeeper Lukás Hornícek, who is positioned in the center of the goal. The assist was provided by Cucho Hernández.
Pau López of Real Betis won a free kick in defense.
Fouled by Florian Grillitsch of Sporting Braga.
Sporting Braga wins a corner, conceded by Sofyan Amrabat.
Gabri Martínez of Sporting Braga committed a foul.
Pablo Fornals of Real Betis won a free kick in the attacking area.
New attacking attempt. Cucho Hernández of Real Betis heads the ball from the center of the box, but Lukás Hornícek of Sporting Braga makes a save in the left corner. The assist came from Marc Bartra's cross.
Sikou Niakaté from Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Cucho Hernández from Real Betis is fouled.
Gabri Martínez's shot for Sporting Braga from the left side of the box is blocked. Ricardo Horta provided the assist.
Marc Bartra of Real Betis had a missed chance, heading the ball from the center of the box but sending it to the left. The assist came from Pablo Fornals, who provided a cross after a corner.
Real Betis wins a corner after Bright Arrey-Mbi concedes.
Gabri Martínez of Sporting Braga is flagged for offside.
Víctor Gómez of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Víctor Gómez of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
New attacking attempt. Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved by goalkeeper Lukás Hornícek of Sporting Braga, who is positioned in the center of the goal. The assist came from Cucho Hernández.
Marc Bartra of Real Betis hits the right post with a header from the center of the box, assisted by Marc Roca's cross.
Cucho Hernández of Real Betis won a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sporting Braga.
Sikou NiakatéYellow CardSikou Niakaté of Sporting Braga receives a yellow card for a foul.
Cucho Hernández of Real Betis won a free kick in the attacking area.
Sikou Niakaté from Sporting Braga committed a foul.
Pablo Fornals of Real Betis won a free kick in defense.
Fouled by Pau Víctor of Sporting Braga.
Substitution for Sporting Braga: João Moutinho replaces Diego Rodrigues due to injury.
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Diego Rodrigues of Sporting Braga.
Foul committed by Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga.
Sofyan Amrabat of Real Betis won a free kick in defense.
Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis won a free kick in defense.
Fouled by Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sporting Braga.
Aitor Ruibal from Real Betis commits a handball.
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Diego Rodrigues of Sporting Braga.
Sofyan AmrabatYellow CardSofyan Amrabat of Real Betis receives a yellow card for a foul.
Foul committed by Sofyan Amrabat of Real Betis.
Diego Rodrigues of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Foul committed by Marc Bartra for Real Betis.
Pau Víctor of Sporting Braga won a free kick in defense.
Foul by Marc Roca - Real Betis.
Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga won a free kick in an attacking position.
Cucho Hernández is flagged for offside for Real Betis.
Cucho Hernández of Real Betis won a free kick in an attacking position.
Foul committed by Bright Arrey-Mbi of Sporting Braga.
assist: Diego Rodrigues
Goal! Sporting Braga leads 1-0 against Real Betis. Florian Grillitsch scores for Sporting Braga with a right-footed shot from close range into the right corner, assisted by Diego Rodrigues' cross following a corner.
Sporting Braga is awarded a corner after Marc Roca concedes.
New attacking attempt. Ricardo Horta from Sporting Braga takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but Pau López from Real Betis saves it in the top center of the goal. The assist was provided by Pau Víctor.
Outstanding performance
Real Betis•AttackerHow entertaining was this match?
Sporting Braga welcome Real Betis to the Estádio Municipal de Braga for the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash. Both teams enter with identical 17-point tallies and strong recent form, setting up a fascinating battle between the Portuguese side's home fortress and Betis' European experience.
