sports
On penalties, FC Braga beat Estoril and became League Cup champions for the third time. The title represents a generation of talent and also Artur Jorge who won the first title of his career as a coach and player.
SC Braga
Paolo Novis
The League Cup final was a surprise to us from the beginning. SC Braga that it Estoril They were not favorites to get this far, but they did, especially during the first half, as they treated the fans to an eventful final. The Canary Islanders scored an early goal, and Minho's team equalized with a goal by Ricardo Horta. The problem was solved only during the sanctions.
The captain's goal will remain in the memories of Braga fans, more than the decision he made from the 11-metre mark. Horta, who had long been one of Benfica's most sought-after targets, remained at Braga, unlike the others. It seemed as if Antonio Salvador's management had sent a message to the Big Three, saying that times had changed, even if the Championship Cup had not yet faced the same fate as the League Cup.
This third event of Portuguese football – which will be played abroad from 2026 – ended in Braga for the third time. In the match against Estoril, it all started very early. The final, which was thought to be open given the style of both teams, had its first minutes in high rotation. With less than five, Jose Fonte made a mistake and brought down Casiano inside the area. Referee Fabio Verissimo's reaction was to call the striker a foul, but the decision was reversed when VAR was consulted: a penalty for Estoril.
Cassiano himself reached the 11-meter mark and, with the calm of someone playing with friends, directed the ball into the net of Matthews' goal, who guessed the side but did not reach the ball.
But let's go back to the beginning, right before the ball got rolling. It's just that there are changes on both sides. Artur Jorge made only one change from the win over Sporting in the semi-final. Abel Ruiz, who came on to score the winning goal against the Lions, started in the final. Vasco Sibra, who was banned from using Rodrigo Gomez – because he was on loan from Braga – released Thiago Araujo, but made two more changes: Pedro Alvaro and Joao Márquez jumped to 11th place, replacing Volne-Veltes and Heriberto Tavares.
Possessing an attacking arsenal that few in Portugal possess, even in the absence of Broma and Panza, Braga have risen up the standings and begun to threaten Dani Figueira. The Estoril goalkeeper, who had impressed against Benfica, began to perform some miracles, stopping Ricardo Horta and Abel Ruiz.
But Horta, the symbol of a team increasingly competing at the top of national football, left a masterpiece in Leiria in the 20th minute, a laboratory move that ended in art. Salazar executed an open corner kick on the edge of the penalty area, and Ricardo, without letting the ball touch the field, sent it past Dani Figuera, who this time could only follow it with his eyes.
Estoril, as his DNA dictates, will gradually return to competing for possession with Minho's side, theoretical favorites in this final. After a 30-minute short break, the pace of the meeting calmed down.
After a 15-minute break, the coaches started moving. The match, which remained balanced, lost its excitement. Estoril even entered the second half more pressing, which troubled the Minho midfielders, but there were few clear-cut chances in the final stretch. At some point, perhaps due to fatigue, or the natural nervousness of an important final for both teams.
Sanctions were necessary to resolve this issue. SC Braga got all five points right, and Estoril missed the final goal, through the feet of Tiago Araújo. The title remains in the hands of Minho's team, but Canarinhos, who came very close to his first title at this level, also deserves applause.
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