BRAGA, Portugal (AP) — Cucho Hernández converted a penalty to save Real Betis from a 1-1 draw with Braga in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Players and fans observed a moment of silence before kickoff. In honor of Mircea Lucescua Romanian soccer great who passed away this week.
Hernández beat Lukasz Hornicek with a penalty in the 61st minute after the Colombian international striker’s header was saved by the goalkeeper in the first half.
UEFA said Florian Grillitsch gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with a heeled effort from a corner kick, marking Braga’s 98th game in European second-tier competition.
Braga are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2011, when the Portuguese club reached the final.
The remaining three quarter-final matches will be played on Thursday: Aston Villa vs. Bologna. Nottingham Forest in Porto. Freiburg will then host Celta Vigo.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
