dailyloe.com – SC Braga defeated Real Betis 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal on Tuesday. The match, held at Braga’s stadium, was a tense and closely contested affair. Real Betis created several clear chances but failed to find an equalizer.
Betis goalkeeper Horníček made a series of crucial saves to keep his team in the tie. He denied a powerful header from Cucho Hernández in the 36th minute with a spectacular dive. Earlier, he had also narrowed the angle well to stop a shot from Ez Abde.
The Spanish side also came close from set-pieces, with defender Marc Bartra hitting the post with a header in the 24th minute. Bartra was also vital defensively, making a key intervention to stop Pau Víctor in the 20th minute. The only goal of the game came from Braga in the first half.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini will see positives in his team’s improved performance as the game progressed. Betis will host the decisive second leg at the Benito Villamarín next week. They must overturn the one-goal deficit to advance to the semifinals.[]
Source: Diario AS
