UEFA Champions League: Sporting Braga versus Arsenal: Full Time Report
Score line: Braga 2 Arsenal 0
Venue: Estádio AXA
Two late strikes from Leite Nascimento Matheus were enough to give Braga much needed three points against Arsenal. The Portuguese Champions triumphed against buoyant Arsene Wenger’s men in this historic night of UEFA Champions League.
It is the first time in Braga’s history that they managed to defeat a Big Four Barclays Premier League side.
After this historic victory, Braga goes on level terms with Arsenal with 9 points in Group H of UEFA Champions League. Moreover, in the other fixture of this Group, the Ukrainian Lords, Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Partizan by 3 goals to
top the table with 12 points.
The home sided started the second half more offensively after the goal less first. The first attack came from Sporting Braga, as Lima once again managed to strike the ball towards Fabianski’s post from quite a long distance, which went
well wide off target.
As the game wore on, the visitors began to find their rhythm and Cesc Fabregas almost managed to put yet another Arsenal signature move by setting up Nicklas Bendtner after keeping possession for long time but Braga’s keeper came in the
way to stop that move and kept Arsenal at bay.
The night and time was going against Arsenal as their Round of 16 spot was being put in jeopardy, but yet they were hit by another disaster, this time it was Arsenal’s captain who pulled hamstring injury once again just twenty minutes
into the play. Cesc Fabregas was replaced by in-form Samir Nasri. Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner was called out and Chamakh was brought in.
After 75th minute, Arsene Wenger decided to make another change and he replaced ineffective Theo Walcott and brought on another striker Carlos Vela.
With only seven minutes remaining in the match, the visitors defence was caught square by a long ball and Leiti runs clear through on goal. He still had a lot to do and clipped the ball past a stranded Arsenal goalkeeper.
After going one down in Portugal, the Gunners started to put more pressure on the home side by going all attack.
But the visitors survived that dying minutes push from the Gunners and eventually sealed all three points with a very late strike yet again from Leiti.
It was a stunning break from the Brazilian, who got past three Arsenal defenders and smashed the ball in the top corner to earn his side a much deserved win.
That was the last kick of the match and it ended Braga’s remarkable performance against the side from which they lost 6 nil nearly a month ago.
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