Braga, Sporting victorious in Portugal

(GSM) – A wild game with four penalties saw Braga dramatically beat Vitória Guimarães 3-2 on Friday, while Sporting Lisbon got a hat-trick from Yannick Djaló in a 5-0 thrashing of Rio Ave.

The only goal that wasn’t at the spot came for Vitória on 18 minutes when Rui Miguel’s well-placed shot eluded Eduardo, but Braga levelled four minutes before half-time on Alan’s penalty.

It was 2-1 to the home side in the 79th minute when Albert Meyong converted Braga’s second spot kick of the game.

It appeared Vitória, though, had stolen a point when Andrezinho struck from the spot in added time.

But there was enough time for Braga to win an even more highly contested penalty moments later, and Meyong slotted it home for the winner.

There was no such drama at the José Alvalade where Sporting got on the scoresheet early through Djaló after just six minutes.

It stayed 1-0 until three minutes before half-time when Liedson found the back of the net for his 13th strike of the season.

Djaló made it 3-0 in the 56th minute with his second of the game that beat Rio Ave goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes, and João Moutinho put the match well out of reach with Sporting’s fourth goal in the 66th minute.

Djaló capped off his treble nicely with 15 minutes to play, giving his side a five-point edge over Vitória for the final European spot.