In a Europa League knockout play-off match between Braga and Qarabag, one of the most bizarre goals in the competition’s history occurred. With the score tied at 1-1, Qarabag unusually took the lead. Yassine Benzia’s free-kick from 20 yards hit the wall before Abdellah Zoubir capitalized on a unique situation to score.

Initially ruled out for offside, VAR intervened and found Zoubir was onside due to a peculiar tactic by Braga’s Victor Gomez. Gomez had deployed a ‘draught excluder’ behind the wall, intended to prevent a low free-kick under the jumping wall. However, this placed Gomez’s head as the closest defender to the goal line, inadvertently keeping Zoubir onside.

As the wall landed from their jump and Gomez lay on the floor, Zoubir seized the opportunity, rounding the goalkeeper and scoring. The goal stood, leading to wild celebrations for Qarabag and disbelief among viewers. Zoubir added his second to make it 4-2, but Braga grabbed an injury-time penalty, leaving the tie open for the second leg.

“Braqa” 1 – 2 “Qarabağ”🇦🇿🥳🥳🥳🥳 https://t.co/I0pPlvo2sF pic.twitter.com/6j34V2cq9E

— K .∀.∀ (@LVieEstBelle) February 15, 2024

 

Qarabağ performance and stats

Qarabağ is currently 2nd in the Europa League with 10 points.

In the last 11 games, it has won 7 times, drawn twice, and lost twice. In its last match, Qarabağ won 2-4 against Sporting Braga.​​

It has a negative goal difference after scoring 7 goals and conceding 9.​

Sporting Braga performance and stats

Sporting Braga is currently 4th in the Liga Portugal with 40 points.

In the last 21 games, it has won 12 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 5 times. In its last match, Sporting Braga lost 5-0 against Sporting CP.​​

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 44 goals and conceding 32.​

Sporting Braga will play the next match in Liga Portugal against Farense on Sunday 18th of February in Braga. The prediction is Sporting Braga winning the match.​

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