On 22 February, one of the matches of the Europa League on football took place. Karabakh (Azerbaijan) and Braga (Portugal) met.
Europa League
Garabagh (Azerbaijan) - Braga (Portugal) - 2:3 (0:0)
Goals: N. Akhundzade (120+2) - R. Akhundzade (120+2) - R. Fernandes (70), Al. Fernandes (70), Alvaro Djalo (83), Simon Banza (115).
Warnings: Júlio Romão (35), Elvin Jafarkuliev (53), V. Gomes (55), Elvin Jafarkuliev (57), Toral Bayramov (85), Oliveira (86), Alvaro Djalo (100), C. Ndour (110), Bahlul Mustafazada (111), Simon Banza (120+3).
In an exciting UEFA Europa League match at the Tofik Bahramov Adına Respublika Stadium, Qarabag met Braga in a much-anticipated encounter. The first half ended in a stalemate, with both teams unable to break the deadlock, and the score remained 0-0 at half-time. The second half started with early substitutions, with Pizzi coming on for Braga in the 46th minute and R. Zalazar. The game took a dramatic turn in the 57th minute when E. Kafarkuliev received a red card, putting his team at a disadvantage. In the 70th minute, R. Fernandes of Braga scored a goal, which put the team ahead.
"Karabakh" tried hard to get back into the game and made several important substitutions, including the introduction of Juninho and Leandro Andrade in the 74th minute. However, in the 83rd minute, SC Braga increased their lead thanks to a goal from A. Djalo. The game took a new turn when in the 102nd minute M. Silva from Qarabag again put the team ahead. In the 115th minute a penalty was awarded to Braga, which was realised by S. Banza. But "Karabakh" did not give up and got back thanks to a goal by N. Akhundzadeh in the last minute of extra time. Despite all the efforts, "Qarabag" eventually suffered a defeat: "SC Braga" won 2:3. The match was full of yellow cards, with players from both teams receiving several warnings throughout the game. It was a very competitive and tense battle between two strong teams, but in the end SC Braga won with great difficulty.
| Qarabag | Braga | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Strokes in goal | 9 |
| 11 | Kicks | 23 |
| 4 | Blocked shots | 5 |
| 9 | Penalty kicks | 10 |
| 2 | Penalty kicks | 13 |
| 17 | Offences | 18 |
| 5 | Corners | 4 |
| 4 | Offsides | 2 |
| 41% | Ball possession | 59% |
| 6 | Yellow cards | 5 |
| 1 | Red cards | 0 |
| 6 | Keeper saves | 4 |
| 429 | Total assists | 624 |
| 327 | Accurate assists | 528 |
| 76% | Accuracy of passes | 85% |