Sporting Storm Back to Beat Braga 3-1 and End Perfect Home Record

Sporting CP stayed unbeaten in Liga Portugal and spoiled SC Braga's flawless home record with a stirring 3-1 comeback victory at the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Friday night. Braga struck first in the 41st minute when Denis Huseinbasic's effort crashed off the post and rebounded in off Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva for an own goal, and the hosts went into the break a goal to the good. With his side struggling to create, Sporting coach Rui Borges sent on Luis Suárez, Rodrigo Zalazar and Maxi Araújo shortly before the hour, and the move transformed the contest. Suárez powered home a header from Nestory Irankunda's cross in the 66th minute to level, and five minutes later Zalazar's cross was turned into his own net by Braga keeper Bernardo Fontes for the second own goal of the evening. The Uruguayan midfielder then sealed the win himself in the 82nd minute, racing onto a counterattack to beat Fontes against his former club, refusing to celebrate before limping off late. The result lifted Sporting provisionally to second with 18 points, two ahead of Benfica but six behind Porto. Braga, beaten at home for the first time this season after five straight wins without conceding, stay seventh on 11 points.