Braga and Moreirense draw 2-2 in Minho derby as Veloso strikes in stoppage time

Match overview

Sporting Braga and Moreirense drew 2-2 on Sunday evening in Moreira de Cónegos, in the opening matchday of the 2026/27 Primeira Liga season. The contest, a Minho derby between two regional rivals at Moreirense's home ground, produced four goals but no winner. Braga, coached by Carlos Vicens, travelled as visitors and let the victory slip away in stoppage time, failing to maintain a fully winning record for the new campaign. The match was part of the first round of the Portuguese championship, which featured several season debuts across the league on the same evening. The opening of the campaign for both teams carried added significance given the regional rivalry between the two Minho clubs.

First half: early exchange of goals

Spanish forward Fran Navarro put the Warriors ahead in the seventh minute, giving Braga an early lead in the away derby. The advantage lasted barely a minute, as English midfielder Nile John restored parity for Moreirense with a low shot from the edge of the area in the following minute. The quick exchange of goals set the tone for a match that carried emotion from start to finish. Four goals across the contest ultimately proved not enough to determine which side had been the better team in front of goal, as the two Minho rivals exchanged goals throughout the evening.

Second half: late drama denies Braga

Pau Víctor, coming off the bench, appeared to have secured all three points for Braga when he scored what looked like the winning goal in the 66th minute. The substitute's strike gave the Arsenalistas a 2-1 lead that held through the remainder of regular time. The decisive moment of the match came in the first minute of stoppage time, when former Benfica player João Veloso, a new signing for Moreirense, struck to level the match at 2-2. The late equalizer was described as a bucket of cold water for Braga, who had been minutes away from an opening-day victory on the road. Veloso's goal, coming in the 90th minute plus one, denied Braga what would have been a winning start to the season.

Standings and next fixtures

With the draw, both Braga and Moreirense collected their first point of the season. The two sides sit in a group of teams on one point that includes six others, among them Benfica and Sporting. Braga will next face Gil Vicente, while Moreirense are set to play Arouca in their respective second matchday fixtures, as both sides look to build on a point gained in the opening round of the competition.

Other matchday result

In another match on the same evening, Gil Vicente hosted Rio Ave. Rio Ave played with ten men for practically the entire second half but fell near the end when Gil Vicente converted a penalty. The late spot kick gave Gil Vicente a winning start to their campaign, while Rio Ave were left with nothing to show for their prolonged defensive effort despite playing a man short for most of the second period.