Sporting Braga were defeated 2-1 by Shakhtar Donetsk at the Estádio Municipal de Braga tonight.

Braga’s Europa League campaign appeared over after Yaroslav Rakitskiy scored on the stroke of halftime and Facundo Ferreyra doubled the lead in the second half, but Wilson Eduardo’s late goal gives the Portuguese side a faint hope in the return leg next week.

The hosts began the match in the ascendancy, Andriy Pyatov punching Rafa’s sharp shot away and quality combination play resulting in a Pedro Santos shot well over the bar. Rafa then drove into the box but produced a weak shot at Pyatov as Braga increased their dominance.

The Shaktar attackers were unable to get into the game as Goiano got behind Srna with his cross blocked, Baiano repeating the move on the right flank. Braga’s high pressing was resulting in controlled possession as Luiz Carlos shot straight at Pyatov.

Bolt out of the blue

On the stroke of halftime and completely against the run of play Shakhtar took the lead. Viktor Kovalenko and Marlos combined to win a corner which was flicked towards to the back post where Yaroslav Rakitskiy’s shot was deflected past Matheus.

The Ukraine outfit started the second half well with Taison’s shot deflected for corner from which Ismaily crossed to Malyshev but his weak shot failed to trouble Matheus. Braga had their best chance of the match from a corner shortly after, the ball falling to Rafa inside the area but his shot skimming off the crossbar.

Shakhtar had a succession of corners that were making Matheus and his defence look rather ordinary before Braga had another good chance from their own corner, Pedro Santos smashing a shot from a tight angle just wide. Vukčević’s shot was deflected just wide and a Santos cross evaded several Braga attackers as Braga pushed for an equaliser.

Shakhtar seemed content to hit Braga on the break, Kovalenko shooting high before Wilson Eduardo was introduced for Stojiljković. Seconds later Shakhtar took a 2-0 lead. Pyatov’s long goal kick was headed on by Goiano into the path of the onrushing Marlos, the Brazilian squaring for Facundo Ferreyra who deftly dinked it over Matheus from close range.

Wilson comes off the bench to strike

Shakhtar had Braga in disarray as Lucescu unleashed his attacking substitutes, Dentinho on for Taison and Marlos making way for Eduardo Da Silva. Fonseca replied with Filipe Augusto on for Vukčević as Braga were desperate for a goal which eventually came in the final minutes.

Wilson Eduardo headed in Baiano’s cross which gives Braga some chance ahead of the return leg next week.

At 2-0 down Braga’s Europa League campaign appeared all but over, and 2-1 still requires an epic comeback as Shakhtar’s stronger squad was evident with the quality of players coming off the bench. The 2009 champions will deservedly be heavy favourites to progress.

by Matthew Marshall

Braga: (4-4-2) Matheus – Baiano, Boly, Ferreira, Goiano – Santos, Vukčević (Augusto 87’), Luiz Carlos, Rafa Silva – Koka, Stojilkovic (Eduardo 75’)

Shakhtar: (4-2-3-1) Pyatov – Srna, Ordets, Rakitskiy, Ismaily – Malyshev, Stepanenko – Marlos (Eduardo 82’), Kovalenko (Bernard 88’), Taison (Dentinho 79’) – Ferreyra

Goals:

[0-1] Rakitskiy, 45'

[0-2] Ferreyra, 75'

[1-2] Wilson Eduardo, 89'