The Europa League quarter-final between Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk pitted two teams from opposite ends of the continent against each other.
Thursday night's first leg took place in Portugal and it was Ukrainian side Shakhtar who put themselves in pole position to advance with a 2-1 win at the Estadio Municipal.
Relive the contest with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
7.08pmEvening folks! It's quarter-final time at the Europa League and here we'll be focussing on what looks like a pretty even contest between Braga from Portugal and Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
7.11pmBefore we dive right in with this match, let me just direct you to our commentaries of the other three first legs tonight:
Borussia Dortmund vs. Liverpool
Athletic Bibao vs. Sevilla
Villarreal vs. Sparta Prague
Borussia Dortmund vs. Liverpool
Athletic Bibao vs. Sevilla
Villarreal vs. Sparta Prague
7.14pmSo that's who is left in the Europa League and Borussia Dortmund are understandably favourites given their strong form in the Bundesliga this season and a convincing win over Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16. It will not be easy for them against Liverpool, though, and both sides in action at the Estadio Municipal tonight will fancy their chances of going all the way this year.
7.17pmAnyway, let's have some team news shall we?
7.20pmBRAGA XI: Matheus; Baiano, Boly, Ricardo Ferreira, Goiano; Pedro Santos, Luiz Carlos, Vukcevic, Rafa; Hassan, Stojiljkovic
Subs: Marafona, Pinto, Eduardo, Djavan, Augusto, Joca, Mauro
Subs: Marafona, Pinto, Eduardo, Djavan, Augusto, Joca, Mauro
7.23pmSHAKHTAR XI: Pyatov; Srna, Ordets, Rakitskyy, Ismaily; Malyshev, Stepanenko; Marlos, Kovalenko, Taison; Ferreyra
Subs: Kanibolotskyi, Kryvtsov, Wellington Nem, Dentinho, Bernard, Gladkyy, Eduardo
Subs: Kanibolotskyi, Kryvtsov, Wellington Nem, Dentinho, Bernard, Gladkyy, Eduardo
7.26pmShakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu will have been delighted to be able to start Taison after the playmaker shook off a knock. Fred and Olexandr Kucher are both suspended, while Marcio Azevedo is out with a knee injury.
7.29pmBraga are without injured trio Crislan, Rui Fonte and Josue, while Ahmed Hassan and Nikola Stojiljkovic lead the attack in a 4-4-2 formation.
7.32pmHere's what the two managers have had to say about the opposition before this match:
Braga's Paulo Fonseca: "I expect a difficult game against very tough opponents with plenty of European experience; they are among the favourites to win this season's Europa League. They have plenty of quality in attack, but this is not mission impossible for us. We want to win and keep a clean sheet. We are ready, motivated and believe we have what it takes."
Lucescu: "Braga remain a very solid side. We beat them [in 2010] thanks to greater experience. Modern Braga are a team who are bound to perform, a very reliable side. I want to single out two of their players: [Rafa] and Pedro Santos."
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Braga's Paulo Fonseca: "I expect a difficult game against very tough opponents with plenty of European experience; they are among the favourites to win this season's Europa League. They have plenty of quality in attack, but this is not mission impossible for us. We want to win and keep a clean sheet. We are ready, motivated and believe we have what it takes."
Lucescu: "Braga remain a very solid side. We beat them [in 2010] thanks to greater experience. Modern Braga are a team who are bound to perform, a very reliable side. I want to single out two of their players: [Rafa] and Pedro Santos."
© Getty Images7.35pmAs Lucescu mentions there, Shakhtar also faced Braga in the 2010-11 Champions League group stages and won both matches home and away. The Ukrainian side won 3-0 in Portugal on their only previous visit to the Estadio Municipal de Braga before also keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 success at home.
7.38pmH2H STAT: None of the last nine European fixtures between Portuguese and Ukrainian clubs has been won by the team from Portugal (five Ukrainian wins, four draws).
7.41pmHow did they both get here, I hear you ask. Well, Braga are in the last eight after finishing top of Group F and then coming past Sion and Fenerbahce in the first two knockout rounds. Last time out against Fener, Fonseca's side lost the opening leg 1-0 in Turkey but resoundingly responded at home with a 4-1 victory to convincingly reach the quarters.
7.44pmAs for Shakhtar, they disappointed in the Champions League group stage and only finished third in their group ahead of Swedish minnows Malmo thanks to a slightly better head-to-head record. Third got them into the Europa League knockouts and they have impressed with three-goal aggregate victories over both Schalke and Anderlecht.
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© Getty Images7.47pmIn fact, Shakhtar have won their last three European matches after a 0-0 draw in the opening leg against Schalke - their best run in continental competition since March 2011 when they reeled off five on the trot. Of the eight teams that dropped down to the Europa from the Champions League, only Shakhtar and the defending Europa League champions Sevilla are left.
7.50pmSo Shakhtar are red-hot in Europe, but they will have to cause a bit of an upset if they are to extend that streak tonight. Braga are unbeaten in all five of their Europa League home matches this season, winning four.
7.53pmHowever, Fonseca's men have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 European matches on home soil. That is a worry against a Shakhtar side enjoying themselves in front of goal in the Europa League.
7.56pmDomestically, both sides are having solid campaigns. Braga are 20 points off the pace of Benfica in the Primeira Liga, but they are comfortably in fourth and on course for another Europa League finish. Shakhtar sit second in the Ukrainian Premier League, three behind Dynamo Kiev.
8.00pmHere come the two teams out of the tunnel! Braga's Estadio Municipal is quite something, almost wedged into the land, with only two stands either side of the pitch. Still, it holds 30,000 and there's a good atmosphere inside.
8.03pmPREDICTION: Just before we get underway, here's my prediction. The stats say there will be plenty of goals, but it could be a cagey first leg so I'll go for a 1-1 draw.
0 minKICKOFF! And off we go in Portugal! Who will seize the initiative tonight?
2 minSHOT! We saw below that Lucescu singled out Rafa as one of Braga's best players and he's just gone close with a shot from the edge of the box that was well-hit but straight at Pyatov.
4 minBlimey, already a goal over the border in Spain as Villarreal go in front against Sparta. Cedric Bakambu puts the Yellow Submarine in front.
6 minStrong start this from Braga. They just had a corner and although Shakhtar dealt with it, the Portuguese side are well on top here.
8 minBy the way, this is the second time that Braga have reached the quarter-final stage of the Europa League. In 2010-11 they went on to reach the final before eventually losing to fellow Primeira Liga side Porto.
9 minShakhtar, meanwhile, last reached the quarter-finals of this competition in 2009, going on to win the last-ever edition of the UEFA Cup before it became the Europa League.
10 minIt's calmed down a little the last few minutes after that fast start from Braga. Shakhtar have enjoyed a bit of possession in their final third but not produced anything to worry the hosts yet.
12 minThere's been a few fouls already but it's good to see Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson not brandishing yellow cards early on. Far too often in European competition you see things get out of hand early and it can ruin the flow of the game.
16 minRafa and Malyshev in action early on
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© AFP20 minBraga fans really enjoying themselves and belting out some chants to get behind their team, but the hosts are just struggling to break down Shakhtar's backline at the moment.
21 minSHOT! Here's an opening though! Pedro Santos finds some space about 20 yards from goal and decides to have a pop, but gets under it and Pyatov is able to watch it over the bar.
24 minBy the way, that early Villarreal goal is still the only one we've had so far in tonight's quarter-final first legs.
26 minStoiljkovic is next to try his luck for Braga, but that's an easy save for Pyatov. Braga have had five total shots now, getting three on target. Shakhtar yet to have an effort on goal.
30 minReally surprising how little Shakhtar have threatened so far. Braga are strong at home, but the Ukrainian outfit have several dangerous players who should be causing a few problems.
33 minAn effort at goal at last from the visitors, but Taison's 20-yarder is almost instantly blocked by Boly as Braga remain solid.
36 minLovely take from Marlos as Shakhtar come forward again but he comes back inside and eventually is crowded out by those in yellow.
37 minAnd now a free kick to the visitors on the edge of the box. Right-back Srna is good at them...
38 minSrna looks to curl it over the wall but it clips the top and loops out for a corner.
41 minHalf-chance up the other end from a Braga corner as Santos's outswinger finds an unmarked Ferreira, but he cannot keep his header down from about 12 yards. Still yet to have a real clear-cut chance in this one.
42 minSHOT! Another Braga effort from distance. This time it's Luiz Carlos who takes aim, striking it well but again too close to Pyatov. The latter will be happy if he keeps getting shots like that.
44 minCHANCE! What a waste! Kovalenko beats the offside trap for Shakhtar and backheels for Marlos. It's wide open for a shot, but he tries to cut back and get the keeper down and defenders come back to clear.
45 minGOAL! BRAGA 0-1 SHAKHTAR (YAROSLAV RAKITSKIY)
45 minThe game hasn't really deserved a goal, but Shakhtar have a big away one as the resulting corner reaches Rakitskiy at the back post. He takes it on first time and a slight deflection helps it past Matheus.
45+1 minJust after a minute is added on, Braga have a half-chance to equalise straight away but Stoiljkovic is denied by Pyatov.
45+2 minHALF-TIME: BRAGA 0-1 SHAKHTAR
8.51pmWell well well. Braga had been the slightly better side in a half of few chances, but they trail at the break because of Rakitskiy's goal on the stroke of half time. Should be a good second half ahead and we'll be back shortly for it. Stay there!
9.05pmBack out for the second half in Portugal. No changes from either side.
46 minKICKOFF! Shakhtar get us back underway. Can they stay in front, or will Braga get on the board?
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© AFP47 minHere are the other half-time scores tonight: Athletic 0-0 Sevilla, Dortmund 0-1 Liverpool, Villarreal 1-1 Sparta.
48 minSHOT! Rakitskiy's goal was Shakhtar's only attempt in the opening period, but they've already had one in the second half as Taison wins the ball out wide and sees his effort deflected over the top.
48 minCHANCE! It should be 2-0! Ismaily is played in down the left wing and cuts back for Malyshev, who somewhat duffs his shot straight at Matheus. Big chance missed.
51 minBraga try to respond down the other end and it's a superb delivery from Santos, but Shakhtar just about survive.
51 minOFF THE BAR! So close! Shakhtar fail to clear their lines and the ball falls to Rafa, who takes a touch before planting a 12-yard shot towards the top corner that grazes the crossbar on its way over. Didn't need to be that precise!
54 minNo second-half goals here yet, but it does feel like one might be coming. A couple elsewhere, though, with Dortmund equalising against Liverpool and Bilbao going ahead against Sevilla.
57 minBlimey, this match has really opened up in the second half. Shakhtar have just gone close to going two up with a series of dangerous crosses that Braga just about survive.
58 minEnd-to-end stuff in the second half as Santos blasts wide from a tight angle for Braga. A second Shakhtar goal might kill it off, but if Braga can equalise we should be on for a frantic finish!
60 minSevilla, winners of this competition the last two years, have equalised in Bilbao. So it's 1-1 in the other three ties and Braga will be hoping that's the scoreline here soon as well.
63 minThe shot count reads 11-2 in Braga's favour, but there's only one stat that counts and that's 0-1 in the visitors' favour.
65 minCLOSE! Vuckevic's shot from about 22 yards takes a slight deflection and looks like it might be creeping in the corner, but just drifts wide. Corner as the home side up the ante.
66 minCHANCE! And they go close from the set piece as the ball drops Boly's way and he sees his goalbound effort blocked.
68 minBraga are getting closer here but the more and more they push forward, the more likely Shakhtar are to have chances on the break.
69 minKovalenko finds himself in a bit of space and tries to curl Shakhtar two up, but his effort drifts over. Decent effort but just got under it a bit.
70 minBOOKING! First yellow card of the match and it's a significant one as Rakitskiy takes out Rafa. That means Shakhtar's goalscorer will miss next week's second leg over in Ukraine.
73 minLike he did with the goal, Rakitskiy threatens at the back post. He pulls away and dodges one tackle before his cross-cum-shot across goal is saved by Matheus.
75 minBRAGA SUB: Wilson Eduardo comes on for the quiet Stoiljkovic.
75 minGOAL! BRAGA 0-2 SHAKHTAR (FACUNDO FERREYRA)
75 minTie over? Shakhtar have two away goals and it's far too easy for them this time. Marlos is picked out down the right and he picks out the unmarked Ferreyra, who had made a perfectly-timed run into the middle. Matheus was out quickly, but the Argentine striker produced a lovely dinked finish to double the visitors' lead.
78 minSHAKHTAR SUB: Taison's time is done, he's replaced by fellow Brazilian Dentinho.
80 minSo it's clinical Shakhtar in pole position as we enter the final 10 minutes. They've only had four shots but scored two of them, while Braga have failed with their 11 attempts. Here's Rakitskiy celebrating the opener.
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© Getty Images82 minSHAKHTAR SUB: Second change for the visitors as Marlos, who missed a sitter earlier but set up the second, is replaced by former Arsenal striker Eduardo.
83 minBOOKING! First Braga player booked as Rafa Silva takes out Kovalenko, who was looking to burst through.
85 minThat second goal really seems to have killed Braga and the crowd off. Shakhtar on course for a big win here.
88 minSUBS: A change each, with Filipe Augusto on for Vukcevic for the hosts and Bernard taking Kovalenko's place for Shakhtar.
89 minGOAL! BRAGA 1-2 SHAKHTAR (WILSON EDUARDO)
89 minHello! Braga give themselves a lifeline for the second leg as Baiano swings over a cross from the right and Wilson meets it with a fine low header that Pyatov can't keep out.
90+1 minThree minutes more for Braga to find a leveller!
90+4 minFULL-TIME: BRAGA 1-2 SHAKHTAR
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© AFP9.55pmThey can't find one and it's Shakhtar in pole position to reach the last four. The Ukrainian side will be gutted to have conceded late on like that, but would have definitely taken this scoreline beforehand!
9.57pmLucescu's side have two away goals to take back across the continent and they'll be firm favourites to advance to the semi-finals. All to do for Braga and we'll be back next week for the second leg. See you then!
