Braga on track for Sevilla upset after simple Matheus header
Published:Matheus has given Braga something to defend in the second leg of their Champions League play-off with Sevilla after scoring the solitary goal in a resolute win.
The Portuguese side were on the back foot for long periods, particularly in the first half, but Matheus headed past Andres Palop from close range just past the hour to give his side the edge.
Sevilla will now need to rely on their supreme home record at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where they have only lost once in Europe since 2006, if they are to defy odds of 33/1 and win the Champions League.
Werder Bremen are also in a strong position to reach the group stages after a strong second-half display saw them overcome Sampdoria 3-1 in Germany.
Clemens Fritz, a Torsten Frings penalty and Claudio Pizarro put the 50/1 Champions League outsiders in command, although Giampaulo Pazzini’s last-minute away goal for ten-man Sampdoria, who had Stefano Lucchini sent off, could prove pivotal in the second leg.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was on the scoresheet as Hapoel Tel-Aviv claimed a 3-2 victory at Red Bull Salzburg, with former Chelsea striker Ben Sahar and Etey Shechter the other Israeli scorers.
Meanwhile, Basel and Anderlecht, who are both 200/1 to win their first Champions League crown, are in the driving seat of their respective qualifying fixtures.
Basel lead Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol 1-0 after the first leg thanks to Valentin Stocker’s goal, while Anderlecht drew 2-2 at FK Partizan.
Roland Juhasz hauled the Belgians on level terms after Jan Lecjaks had scored a disastrous own goal when under no pressure.
Barcelona are the 3/1 favourites to win the Champions League, see the whole winner’s market.
