Liga NOS: Farense 1-2 Braga
A stoppage time goal saw SC Braga leave Faro with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Farense on Monday despite a valiant effort by the home side, which was the best team on the pitch for large parts of the game.
Farense started the match strong with a couple of scoring chances before Al Musrati scored the opening goal with a towering header on a corner kick halfway through the first half.
Pedro Henrique’s equalizer came just three minutes later in a similar fashion when the Brazilian striker powered home a header following a corner kick.
Braga reacted strongly to Farense’s goal and had two chances to score before the half-time whistle, amassing yet another in the opening minutes of the second half as Al Musrati almost scored his second of the match with a powerful shot from outside the box.
However, the home side did not back down, and Pedro Henrique could have added to his goal count at the 80th minute with another strong header which was denied by Braga goalkeeper Matheus, who would become the hero for his team shortly after.
A soaring Lucca header at the edge of the 90th minute was saved almost miraculously by Matheus, who on the follow-up also prevented Pedro Henrique from giving Farense the lead as the ball was stopped at the edge of the goal line.
It was a match-changing moment as just a couple of minutes later Slovenian striker Andraž Šporar, on loan from Sporting CP, scored the game-winning goal for Braga.
After the match, Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal admitted that his side was lucky to escape with the three points, while Farense coach Jorge Costa said his team has to be more “efficient” converting its scoring chances.
Farense are now 16th with 22 points and will travel to Madeira to face Marítimo on Saturday at 3pm.
