Real Betis battled back to secure a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Braga on Wednesday.
Florian Grillitsch put the hosts ahead early with a skilful near-post backheel, but Cucho Hernandez restored parity from the penalty spot in the second half, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next Thursday’s return leg in Seville.
Both sides had showcased their resilience in the round of 16, scoring four-goal comebacks in the second legs of their respective ties to advance to the quarter-finals.
Braga seized the advantage at their picturesque Estadio Municipal home in the fifth minute as Austrian Grillitsch darted to the front post from a low corner and turned a slick backheel past Pau Lopez in the Betis net.
Read Also: PSG, Man City, Tottenham, Others Chase Bayern Munich’s Nigerian Youth Sensation
At the other end, Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek was in excellent form as he produced fine saves to deny Marc Bartra, Abde Ezzalzouli and Hernandez in the first period.
The Czech’s resistance was broken on 61 minutes, however, as Colombian Hernandez sent him the wrong way from the spot after Jean-Baptiste Gorby had scythed down Ezzalzouli in the box.
The other quarter-final first legs take place on Thursday with Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest making the trip to Portugal to take on Porto.
Aston Villa visit Coppa Italia winners Bologna and Freiburg welcome Celta Vigo.
