Benfica falls short in Braga: Mourinho disappointed

Benfica further complicated its chances of putting itself back on Portugal’s title list by drawing 2-2 on Sunday away against Braga in a Primeira Liga Round of 16 match. It dashed the hopes of Jose Mourinho, who was aiming for a third league win in a row so as not to find himself with a now unbridgeable gap from leading Porto.

The Lisbon Reds took the lead thanks to a goal by Argentine Nicolás Otamendi on 29′, but Uruguayan Rodrigo Zalazar, on 38′ on a penalty kick, and Spaniard Pau Víctor, in the first-half recovery, signed the hosts’ comeback. Norwegian Fredrik Aursnes fixed the final score by equalizing at 53′.

The team coached by Jose Mourinho occupies the third position, with 36 points, and could end the calendar year 10 points behind leader Porto and five behind Sporting, second, if the two rivals win their respective matches. Braga, which had to deal with the ejection of captain Ricardo Horta at 90+4′, remains in fifth place with 26 points, one less than Gil Vicente, fourth.

Mourinho’s Benfica, which has already wrapped up its league commitments for 2025, will be back on the pitch in the Primeira Liga on Jan. 3, facing Estoril at home.