Famalicão beats Braga on penalties, reaching the Taça da Liga final four for the first time

A 2-2 draw in Braga

Famalicão travelled to the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Thursday, 29 October, for the away leg of the Taça da Liga quarter-final, and the tie stood at 2-2 after 90 minutes. Georgios Koutsias, a 22-year-old Greek forward, gave the visitors the lead in the 16th minute, finishing after Marcos Peña set him up following a careless back-pass from Bright Arrey-Mbi. Ricardo Horta equalised for Braga from the penalty spot in the 37th minute. Koutsias struck again in first-half stoppage time (45+4), also from the spot, to restore the lead, and he was substituted in the 63rd minute.

How the second half unfolded

Braga had more possession and spent long periods in the attacking half, but reports say their chances were limited. Gabriel Cabral, the Famalicão goalkeeper, denied Ricardo Horta from a good position in the 33rd minute and stopped a Demir Tiknaz effort in the 34th. Víctor Rofino struck the crossbar for Famalicão, and Pau Victor sent a chance over the bar in the 61st minute. Cabral made another save in the 65th minute, from a Fran Navarro header. Horta levelled at 2-2 in the 89th minute from the spot, his second penalty of the match, which sent the tie beyond regulation time.

Penalties settle the tie

No extra time was scheduled, so the tie went straight to a shootout. Famalicão converted three of their five attempts, while Braga scored once from four. Cabral saved three Braga penalties, which proved decisive. Sorriso, Szucs and Moreira scored for Famalicão, while João Moutinho was Braga's only successful taker.

Famalicão3

Braga1

Famalicão

3

Braga

1

Data from the article text

What the win sets up

The result is Famalicão's first appearance in the Taça da Liga final four, according to the reports. The final four is scheduled for Leiria between 5 and 9 January, with the semi-finals and the final played during that window. Famalicão will face Sporting in one semi-final, after Sporting eliminated Marítimo. In the other, FC Porto, who beat Académico de Viseu, will play the winner of the Benfica and Gil Vicente tie, which was being played on the same day.