Match report

SC Braga 2–2 Benfica: Primeira Liga Draw

SC Braga
SC Braga
2–2
FT
Benfica
Benfica
Dec 28, 2025

SC Braga and Benfica played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in their Primeira Liga clash. SC Braga took the lead through R. Zalazar's penalty and P. Victor's goal, but Nicolás Otamendi and F. Aursnes responded for Benfica. Despite numerous yellow cards and a late red card for R. Horta of Braga, both teams shared points in an intense encounter.

Key Facts

  • • Nicolás Otamendi scored the first goal for Benfica at 29 minutes.
  • • R. Zalazar equalized with a penalty for SC Braga at 38 minutes.
  • • P. Victor put Braga in front just before halftime, scoring at 45 minutes.
  • • F. Aursnes brought Benfica level again at 53 minutes.
  • • R. Horta was given a red card for Braga late in the game.

Lineups

SC Braga

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 L. Hornicek (G)
  • 2 V. Gomez (D)
  • 6 Vitor Carvalho (D)
  • 26 B. Arrey-Mbi (D)
  • 20 M. Dorgeles (M)
  • 29 Gorby (M)
  • 8 J. Moutinho (M)
  • 5 L. Lelo (M)
  • 10 R. Zalazar (F)
  • 21 R. Horta (F)
  • 18 P. Victor (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 T. Sa
  • 15 P. Oliveira
  • 17 Gabriel Moscardo
  • 27 F. Grillitsch
  • 39 F. Navarro
  • 41 Y. da Rocha
  • 50 D. Rodrigues
  • 62 N. Matos
  • 77 G. Martinez

Benfica

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Trubin (G)
  • 17 A. Dedic (D)
  • 44 T. Araujo (D)
  • 30 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 26 S. Dahl (D)
  • 20 R. Rios (M)
  • 5 E. Barrenechea (M)
  • 8 F. Aursnes (M)
  • 18 L. Barreiro (M)
  • 10 G. Sudakov (M)
  • 14 V. Pavlidis (F)

Substitutes

  • 50 D. Ferreira
  • 4 A. Silva
  • 9 F. Ivanovic
  • 16 Manu
  • 21 A. Schjelderup
  • 25 G. Prestianni
  • 64 G. Oliveira
  • 67 R. Rego
  • 84 J. Rego

Timeline

  1. Benfica
    15' Benfica Card · Yellow Card
    T. Araujo

    Foul

  2. Benfica
    29' Benfica Goal · Normal Goal
    Nicolás Otamendi
  3. SC Braga
    30' SC Braga Card · Yellow Card
    João Moutinho

    Argument

  4. SC Braga
    38' SC Braga Goal · Penalty
    R. Zalazar
  5. SC Braga
    45' SC Braga Goal · Normal Goal
    P. Victor
  6. Benfica
    53' Benfica Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Aursnes · Assist: V. Pavlidis
  7. SC Braga
    65' SC Braga Card · Yellow Card
    R. Horta

    Foul

  8. Benfica
    74' Benfica Card · Yellow Card
    Richard Ríos

    Argument

  9. SC Braga
    77' SC Braga subst · Substitution 1
    Off: João Moutinho · On: F. Grillitsch
  10. SC Braga
    77' SC Braga subst · Substitution 2
    Off: P. Victor · On: Fran Navarro
  11. SC Braga
    77' SC Braga subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Dorgeles · On: G. Martinez
  12. Benfica
    80' Benfica subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Barreiro · On: F. Ivanovic
  13. Benfica
    80' Benfica subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Sudakov · On: G. Prestianni
  14. SC Braga
    86' SC Braga subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Zalazar · On: Gabriel Moscardo
  15. SC Braga
    88' SC Braga Card · Yellow Card
    Gabriel Moscardo

    Foul

  16. SC Braga
    90'+3 SC Braga Card · Yellow Card
    R. Horta

    Foul

  17. SC Braga
    90'+3 SC Braga Card · Red Card
    R. Horta

    Foul

  18. SC Braga
    90'+6 SC Braga subst · Substitution 5
    Off: V. Gomez · On: Paulo Oliveira

Match Stats

Stat SC Braga Benfica
Fouls 14 9
Pass Accuracy 84% 82%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 11 14
Corners 1 5
Total Passes 487 503
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 3 6
xG 1.76 1.17
Shots off Target 4 7
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 407 413
Shots Inside Box 6 10
Saves 4 1
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ SC Braga's penalty by R. Zalazar turned the momentum after Benfica opened the scoring through Nicolás Otamendi, leveling the match and boosting morale.
  • ▸ The introduction of substitute F. Aursnes for Benfica proved crucial as he scored a goal to tie the game again, despite SC Braga taking an early lead in the second half.