Cardozo gives Benfica edge

Benfica secured a 2-1 lead for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Braga.

Hosts have slim advantage for second leg of all-Portuguese tie

Benfica secured a slender lead for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with a deserved 2-1 win over Braga at the Estadio da Luz. The hosts dominated the all-Portuguese clash for long periods but victory was only secured by a thumping Oscar Cardozo free-kick on the hour mark. Benfica had taken the lead nine minutes earlier when Jardel poked them ahead, but Braga equalised as Vandinho glanced in a Hugo Viana free-kick. That could prove a valuable away goal by the veteran Brazilian, although he will miss the second leg after picking up a first-half caution. However, Benfica will also be without their key playmaker Pablo Aimar after he was cautioned for the foul that led to Vandinho's goal. The nerves of the first-ever all-Portuguese European semi-final were evident from the outset as Braga put themselves under pressure as Paulao hacked the ball clear over his own crossbar. The visitors would spend the majority of the half on the back foot, although they went close to a second-minute opener when Lima's long-range effort flew just wide past a sprawling Roberto. Benfica had the ball in the net soon after but Cardozo needed to be offside to be first to the ball after Artur saved from Javi Garcia's header. The hosts then set into an attacking routine with Aimar pulling the strings as he picked out Javier Saviola, who stung the palms of Artur, before Cardozo wasted a good chance by chipping over. Aimar almost caught out Artur with a long-range effort before teeing up Cardozo who, after shrugging off Paulao, sent a low shot against the post.

Deserved opener

Benfica were unlucky not to be in front at the break but deservedly led on 50 minutes following an eye-catching move. Maxi Pereira tricked his way past Alan and into the area, and while Cardozo headed his floated cross against the post, the rebound fell perfectly for Jardel to poke home. The lead lasted just three minutes as Braga claimed their valuable away goal. Viana whipped in a free-kick and Vandinho, who held his position ahead of the retreating defence, expertly diverted his header past a wrong-footed Roberto. It was the second impressive goal of the game but both were overshadowed by Cardozo's emphatic free-kick soon after. Alan was again exposed in defence as he felled Carlos Martins just outside the area to allow Cardozo to size up the free-kick. He went for power and placement to devastating effect as the ball whistled over the wall and past a helpless Artur. With the lead regained, Benfica sat back to negate Braga's counter-attacking threat and, while the visitors briefly threatened through Alan and Lima, the hosts maintained a lead to take to their rivals in seven days' time.

Benfica	Team Statistics	Sporting Braga
2	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
6	Shots on Target	4
6	Shots off Target	4
4	Blocked Shots	0
7	Corners	0
15	Fouls	17
3	Offsides	6
1	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
73.4	Passing Success	65.1
16	Tackles	24
81.2	Tackles Success	87.5
58	Possession	42
43.8	Territorial Advantage	56.2