Sporting Braga isolated themselves today in fifth place in the Primeira Liga, by beating Boavista 1-0, in the second round of the competition. With this victory, Arsenal corrected their poor start, after a draw at home to Estrela da Amadora, while the “chess players” recorded their first defeat, after their debut with a victory at Casa Pia.
Click on the image to see Boavista Braga summary
Without Niakité and goalkeeper Matheus, Carlos Carvalhal had to make changes to the Braga XI, in his first appearance in La Liga, after starting this new adventure in Minho with a Europa League win over Servette. Lukasz Hornicek was in goal, Robson Bambo played in midfield.
Ricardo Horta gave the first signal in the 27th minute but his shot inside the penalty area went wide of the goal.
After a few minutes of the start with both goals in danger – especially in a turbulent team – Braga scored in the 44th minute. Vitor Carvalho passed it to Zalazar, who sent it into the area where Roberto Fernandes was. The Spaniard ran to Ibrahima, In the face of Joao Gonçalves, he fired to count.
The first half result rewarded the team that was in charge of the game and created more danger.
The second half started with a great chance for the Chessmen, in the 50th minute. Boznik headed in Salvador Agra, and Hornicek made a great save. Two minutes later the other goalkeeper of the match shone. Joao Gonçalves had to do his best to prevent Ricardo Horta, on two occasions, from making it 2-0 in favor of Guerreros.
In the 68th minute it was not Joao Gonçalves but Pedro Gomes who kept Boavista in the game. Rodrigo Zalazar shot at goal but the ball was cut off by a Boavista player on the goal line.
The draw was on Bozicic’s foot with a score of 90+2. On a counter-attack but sent in by Salvador Agra, the Slovenian striker hit the post.
With this victory, Sporting de Braga moved to fifth place with four points, while Boavista is in ninth place with three points.
