Braga Escapes Nacional Fightback with Late Header in Taça de Portugal

Loud applause mixed with a few nervous whistles echoed around the Pedreira on Saturday night after Sporting de Braga eventually shook off Nacional da Madeira and marched into the last 16 of the Taça de Portugal. A three-goal cushion looked decisive before the interval, yet the visitors clawed their way back to 3-2 and forced the Minho crowd to hold its breath until a late header restored calm.

Minho club overcomes Madeira scare

The scoreboard read 4-2 at the final whistle, but that figure hides the unsettling quarter-hour that almost undid Braga’s slick opening act. A brace from Ricardo Horta, followed by a towering nod from Swedish defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, had seemingly ended the contest before half-time. Nacional, relegated last May yet always obstinate in cup ties, refused to fold. Miguel Baeza and Chuchu Ramírez struck in rapid succession, silencing the stadium and reminding the hosts of their September league defeat to the same opponent. Only when full-back Víctor Gómez met Leonardo Lelo’s corner on 87 minutes did relief wash over the red zones of the stands.

How the goals unfolded

Braga’s first thrust arrived on minute 10, Horta sweeping home after a slick triangle with Bruma and Abel Ruiz. Five minutes later the captain doubled the lead from the penalty spot, punishing a clumsy challenge on Álvaro Djaló. Nacional spent most of the half chasing shadows and paid again when Lagerbielke glanced in a near-post header just before the break. The restart, though, belonged to the islanders: Baeza converted a low cross at 54 and Ramírez pounced on uncertainty in the Braga box five minutes later. With anxiety mounting, visiting keeper Lucas França denied Bruma at point-blank range, and Braga’s own stopper Bellarouch had to claw away a drive from Francisco Ramos. The decisive moment came from another set piece as Gómez timed his leap perfectly, sparking chants of “Rumo ao Jamor” from the terraces.

Captain Horta sets the tone

The veteran winger again demonstrated why he remains Braga’s heartbeat. Beyond the two early strikes, Horta orchestrated virtually every attacking phase, dropping between lines to feed wide runners and dictating the tempo when Nacional tried to press. His corner delivery also produced Lagerbielke’s goal. Local media awarded him a match rating of 9, and television replays captured Coach Carlos Vicens embracing his skipper at full-time with a grin that said everything.

Manager Vicens reflects on defensive lapse

Vicens praised the “dynamic positional play” that dismantled Nacional in the opening 45 but conceded the team “lost concentration” after the interval. He insisted, however, that the response showed character: “We kept playing forward, refused to go into panic mode and were rewarded for our bravery,” he told reporters. Gómez echoed that view, admitting that letting a 3-0 advantage slip to 3-2 “brought back memories” of the league stumble, yet highlighting the squad’s composure in the closing stages.

What the result means for Braga’s cup ambitions

Advancing to the round of 16 extends a romance that has already delivered three Taça de Portugal triumphs, the most recent in 2021. Supporters still recall the dramatic shoot-out victory over Porto in 2016 and the club’s maiden cup success back in 1966. The current run, though only two matches old, keeps alive hopes of another May pilgrimage to Jamor and the €1.5 M windfall reserved for the winner. The draw for the next round takes place on Friday, with potential opponents ranging from third-tier surprises to heavyweights Benfica and Sporting.

Looking ahead

Braga must quickly switch focus to domestic matters, visiting Arouca on Sunday before hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League the following mid-week. Vicens suggested minor rotation is likely, noting that João Moutinho and Gabri Martínez left the pitch with “manageable knocks”. For now, though, the night belongs to the cup specialists from the north who, even when rattled, found enough poise to keep their double-trophy dream alive.