Braga Hold Benfica Despite Late Red Card Drama

BRAGA, PORTUGAL — Third-placed Benfica saw their unbeaten league record remain intact but dropped crucial points in a pulsating 2-2 draw against fifth-placed Braga at Estádio Municipal de Braga, with the hosts clinging on despite finishing with nine men. The teams shared possession almost equally (48.9%-51.1%) in a tactical battle that swung back and forth before descending into late chaos. Benfica's 32 points keep them nine points behind the leaders, while Braga's 25 points maintain their push for European qualification.

The scoring opened in the 29th minute when Nicolás Otamendi demonstrated his aerial prowess, powering a header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a well-worked set piece routine. Benfica's joy lasted just nine minutes before Rodrigo Zalazar stepped up to convert a penalty with a composed right-footed finish to the bottom right corner, sending Lukáš Horníček the wrong way in the 38th minute. The drama intensified on the stroke of half-time when Pau Víctor pounced from the right side of the six-yard box, slotting home with his right foot to the bottom left corner in the 45th minute plus one, sending the home crowd into raptures. The second half belonged to Fredrik Aursnes, who produced the moment of magic in the 53rd minute, unleashing a thunderous right-footed strike from outside the box that flew into the top left corner following a devastating Benfica fast break orchestrated by Vangelis Pavlidis.

Benfica's attacking intent showed in their statistical dominance, registering 14 shots to Braga's 11 and forcing Horníček into four crucial saves compared to just one from Anatolii Trubin. The Eagles controlled the corner count 5-1, but Braga's defensive organization frustrated their attempts to find a winner. João Moutinho anchored Braga's midfield with veteran composure, while Vítor Carvalho and Bright Arrey-Mbi threw their bodies on the line repeatedly. Amar Dedic pushed forward relentlessly for Benfica down the right flank, while Tom Araújo came agonizingly close with a header in the 70th minute that just missed the top right corner.

By the numbers, Benfica's 51.1% possession and six shots on target to Braga's three suggested they deserved all three points, yet they couldn't convert their superiority into goals. The visitors' 14 fouls to Braga's nine reflected their growing frustration as the match wore on, with Richard Ríos picking up a yellow card for his persistence in the 74th minute.

The turning point arrived in stoppage time when Ricardo Horta received his second yellow card in the 90th minute plus three for a foul on Gianluca Prestianni, leaving Braga to defend with nine men for the final frantic moments. The hosts had already been reduced to ten earlier in the half, and Horta's dismissal set up a desperate siege. Gabriel Moscardo had also been booked in the 88th minute as Braga sacrificed discipline for survival. Despite seven minutes of added time and waves of Benfica pressure, including a Richard Ríos header that missed narrowly, Horníček and his depleted defense held firm.

Looking ahead, Braga will travel to face Estrela on January 3, seeking to build on this gutsy point while managing their disciplinary issues.