Benfica beat Sp. Braga 3-1 at home in a match dominated by off-field incidents. The visitors scored first in the first half through Ricardo Horta, who was once close to playing for the hosts. In the second half, Brazilian Marcos Leonardo equalised and David Neres completed the comeback.

Sp. Braga started with a 4-1-4-1 tactical system, with Cher Ndour, a former Benfica player, being the surprise in the visitors' midfield, as a defensive pivot. Roger Schmidt, on the other hand, kept Arthur Cabral in the starting lineup, but brought Aurnses back on the left side of defence instead of Álvaro Carreras.

The first half was not dominated by football at the Estádio da Luz. But we'll get to that. At the beginning of the match, Braga seemed more comfortable with the ball, forcing Benfica to wait. However, Benfica were the first to threaten. Arthur Cabral headed the ball onto the bar after a well-executed cross by Di María.

Sp. Braga reacted with someone who would later be happy. Ricardo Horta shot hard and Trubin saved in the 19th minute, controlling the situation. But the visitors' goal did happen. A beautiful opening on the right gave space to Álvaro Djaló, very fast, who benefited from Nicolas Otamendi's careless approach. With the goal line at his disposal, Djaló crossed low for Ricardo Horta. The Braga winger appeared in the right place and shot into the goal.

After an initial moment of general silence at the Luz, still trying to understand what had happened, the fans of the Benfica fan groups started to unroll a banner that said "President, our love has no limit". Then they threw banners onto the pitch and sang songs against Schmidt. João Pinheiro had no choice but to stop the match for several minutes.

Impatience reigned at the Estádio da Luz and the other fans even criticised the fans of the organised fan groups - "Clowns", they shouted in unison. An atmosphere of discord, which conditioned the flow of the game for the rest of the first half.

Different story in the second half, with more pressure from Benfica

After a break needed to calm things down, the second half started. Right at 51', Roger Schmidt made a change to the team, perhaps to give the team more width. Álvaro Carreras came in on the left side, while Aursnes stayed on the right. Bah went out.

Matheus kept saving Braga, after a corner, with Carreras shooting at the goalkeeper, who did well. Di María also forced Matheus to make another save in the 65th minute. Benfica's goal did come, after some changes promoted by Roger Schmidt. Orkun Kokçu came in alongside Marcos Leonardo, and the Brazilian scored the equaliser, after an opportune rebound.

From then on, Benfica pressed and scored the winning goal at the end of the ninety minutes. Angel Di Maria went up the left flank, crossed very well and David Neres headed, in the right place, into the goal. Relief for Roger Schmidt, who thus postpones Sporting's title party, at least until the next round. Marcos Leonardo even scored another, practically in the last minute, and secured the award for best player of the match. 

Moment of the match: Despite the comeback, the protest by the fans of the organised fan groups stopped the match and showed the division between the members and Roger Schmidt. Fines are coming.

Lineups

Benfica: Trubin; Bah, António Silva, Otamendi and Aursnes; Florentino, João Mário, Di María, Rafa and David Neres; Arthur Cabral.

Sp. Braga: Matheus, Borja, Niakaté, Paulo Oliveira, Victor Gomez, João Moutinho, Zalazar, Cher Ndour, Ricardo Horta, Alvaro Djaló and Banza.

Preview

Benfica play Sp. Braga this Saturday from 6 pm, in a match of the 31st round of the I Liga. On the same day that the new president of FC Porto is elected and one day before the decisive Sporting-FC Porto match.

There could be a new national champion this round, although it is unlikely. Sp. Braga would have to win and Sporting would have to win. However, Sp. Braga are also looking to secure third place, so they should give their best at the Luz.

Follow the match live with Desporto ao Minuto from 6 pm. 

Also read: Premier League: Follow the results and scores of the 35th round live (Portuguese version)