Benfica slip at Braga, title hopes fade in Portugal 🔭

In a thrilling duel at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, Benfica drew 2-2 against Braga this Sunday (28th), in the 16th round of Liga Portugal.

This disappointing result for the Encarnados prevents the team from closing in on leaders Porto and keeps them in third place in the standings.

The match: excitement until the end

The game started off favorably for the visitors. Captain Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring at the 30th minute of the first half, after a precise cross from Sudakov on a free kick.

However, the home side's response was immediate and overwhelming: still in the first half, Zalazar and Pau Víctor turned the game around for the Guerreiros do Minho, taking a 2-1 lead into halftime.

At the start of the second half, Benfica quickly went in search of an equalizer.

Just 5 minutes into the final period, after a quick counterattack set up by Pavlidis, Norwegian Fredrik Aursnes controlled the ball and fired a rocket into the top corner, leveling the score.

Standings situation

With the draw, the scenario for Benfica at the turn of the year becomes more challenging:

3rd place with 36 points.

Distance: 8 points behind leaders FC Porto – who play against AVS on Monday (28th).

Sporting: the Lisbon rivals remain in second place, keeping up the pressure at the top.

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

📸 MIGUEL RIOPA - AFP or licensors