Braga converted every attempt while Sporting's Paçó missed
No coração do futsal português, o Sporting Braga recusou-se a ser eliminado. Na quarta-feira à noite, numa partida que oscilou entre o controlo e o caos, os minhotos igualaram a eliminatória com o Sporting CP ao vencerem nos penáltis, após um empate 3-3 que só o tempo extra não conseguiu resolver. O destino de uma final aguarda agora um terceiro e decisivo jogo — como tantas vezes acontece no desporto, a verdade só se revela no último momento possível.
- O Sporting CP chegou ao segundo jogo com a vantagem de ter vencido o primeiro, mas o Braga respondeu com uma exibição que misturou solidez defensiva e transições perigosas.
- O jogo viveu de reviravolta em reviravolta na segunda parte: cinco golos em poucos minutos, incluindo um autogolo de Paçó que retirou ao Sporting a vantagem que parecia encaminhar a eliminatória.
- O empate a três persistiu no tempo extra, e foi nos penáltis que o Braga mostrou mais frieza — convertendo todas as tentativas enquanto o próprio Paçó voltou a ser protagonista, desta vez falhando o decisivo.
- A eliminatória está agora empatada a um jogo cada, e um terceiro encontro definirá quem enfrenta o Benfica na final do campeonato nacional de futsal.
O Sporting Braga forçou um terceiro e decisivo jogo na meia-final do campeonato português de futsal ao derrotar o Sporting CP nas grandes penalidades, numa quarta-feira à noite de emoções intensas. Com o Benfica já garantido na final, o vencedor desta eliminatória — empatada a um jogo — terá o direito de disputar o título.
O jogo começou sem grande urgência, com o guarda-redes Dudu a destacar-se pelas defesas e pela participação no ataque. Foi numa dessas incursões que surgiu o primeiro golo: Dudu encontrou Turé, que assistiu Barreto, e o jovem pivô brasileiro finalizou com frieza frente a Gonçalo Portugal. O golo foi validado após revisão e o Braga chegou ao intervalo na frente.
A segunda parte foi de outro nível. O Sporting entrou com mais intensidade e a partida tornou-se uma sucessão de golos: Zicky Té empatou após passe do guarda-redes adversário, Bebé voltou a colocar o Braga na frente, Pauleta restabeleceu a igualdade, e Zicky Té deu pela primeira vez vantagem ao Sporting. Mas Paçó, pressionado, desviou a bola para a própria baliza — 3-3 — e o tempo extra não trouxe desempate.
Nas grandes penalidades, o Braga não tremeu. Converteu todas as tentativas, enquanto Paçó — já autor do autogolo — falhou o remate decisivo pelo Sporting. O terceiro jogo está marcado, e com ele, a promessa de mais uma noite em que tudo estará em jogo.
The Sporting Braga futsal team forced a decisive third game in the Portuguese championship semifinal by defeating Sporting CP on penalties Wednesday night, keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive. With Benfica already secured as one finalist, the winner of this series will meet them for the title. The first game had gone to Sporting CP; this one, after a tense back-and-forth that stretched into extra time, belonged to Braga.
The match began slowly, both teams content to feel each other out without much urgency. Dudu, Braga's goalkeeper, emerged as the early focal point—making solid saves and pushing forward to initiate attacks from the back. It was one of these advances that led to the opening goal. In the 13th minute, Dudu moved up the field and found Turé on the left wing, who slipped the ball to Barreto. The 21-year-old Brazilian pivot didn't hesitate in a one-on-one with Sporting's Gonçalo Portugal, finishing cleanly. The goal was reviewed for a potential foul in the buildup but was confirmed. Braga had the lead and the momentum, though Sporting steadied themselves and prevented their opponents from running away with the game before halftime.
The second half brought a different Sporting team. They came out with intensity and pace, pressing higher and forcing Braga into uncomfortable moments. Yet Braga matched that energy, defending well and staying dangerous on the break. Zicky Té equalized for Sporting in the 26th minute after Portugal advanced from goal and threaded a pass to the Portuguese international, who struck hard into the net. The momentum swung again moments later when Turé fed Bebé on a throw-in, and Bebé's first-time shot restored Braga's lead. Pauleta answered immediately for Sporting, assisted by Alex Merlin, to make it 2-2. The pace was relentless now. A corner from Merlin found Zicky Té, who powered a shot past the keeper to give Sporting their first lead of the night at 3-2. But then Paçó, under pressure, turned the ball into his own net, and the score was level at 3-3.
Neither team could break the deadlock in extra time. The match went to penalties, where Braga's composure proved decisive. The Minho club converted every attempt while Sporting's Paçó missed, handing Braga the win and forcing a Game 3 to determine who advances. The final will wait.
Citas Notables
Braga converted all penalty attempts while Sporting's Tomás Paçó missed— Match result
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why did this match matter so much that it needed a third game?
Because in a best-of-three playoff, you can't advance unless you win the series. Sporting won Game 1, Braga won Game 2 on penalties. Now it's 1-1, so whoever wins Game 3 goes to the final against Benfica.
The own goal by Paçó—was that a turning point, or just the moment the match ran out of time?
It was the moment the match ran out of time. The game was already tied 3-2 for Sporting when Paçó deflected it in. If that doesn't happen, maybe Sporting holds on and wins in regulation. Instead, it forced extra time, and in extra time neither team could score, so penalties decided it.
Braga didn't miss a single penalty. That's unusual, isn't it?
It is. Penalties are always a lottery—one moment of doubt, one poor technique, and you're out. Braga was flawless. Sporting had Paçó miss, which was the difference. In a shootout, that's everything.
What does Game 3 look like now?
It's a true decider. Both teams know exactly what's at stake. Braga has momentum from winning on penalties, but Sporting has the experience of winning Game 1. Whoever wants it more will probably take it.