Braga had it all to do heading in to Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final second leg at Shakhtar Donetsk having lost the first leg 2-1 at home.
Although the visitors started brightly, Shakhtar soon found their rhythm and ran out 4-0 winners on the night to reach the semi-finals comfortably.
Relive the match in Lviv with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
7.06pmEvening folks! It's crunch time in the Europa League quarter-finals as the second legs take place and all four ties are finely poised, with no side more than a goal to the good.
7.08pmBefore we get down to the nitty gritty of this match, let me just point you in the direction of our commentaries of the other three ties if you want to follow all or some of them as well. Liverpool (1-1) Borussia Dortmund is the only quarter-final still level after the first leg, while Sevilla and Villarreal have 2-1 advantages over Athletic Bilbao and Sparta Brague respectively.
7.10pmAnyhoo, enough about those matches. Our focus here turns to Lviv and Shakhtar vs. Braga. The Ukrainian outfit lead 2-1, but it could have been much better had they not conceded a late goal in Portugal a week ago. Tonight's team news is in, so let's get to it...
7.12pmSHAKHTAR XI: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Ordets, Ismaily; Stepanenko, Malyshev; Marlos, Taison, Kovalenko; Ferreyra
Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Kryvtsov, Wellington Nem, Dentinho, Bernard, Gladkiy, Eduardo
Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Kryvtsov, Wellington Nem, Dentinho, Bernard, Gladkiy, Eduardo
7.15pmBRAGA XI: Matheus; Goiano, Boly, Ricardo Ferreira, Djavan; Josue, Luiz Carlos, Vukcevic, Rafa; Wilson Eduardo, Ahmed Hassan
Subs: Marafona, Andre Pinto, Nurio Fortuna, Filipe Augusto, Joca, Mauro, Stoiljkovic
Subs: Marafona, Andre Pinto, Nurio Fortuna, Filipe Augusto, Joca, Mauro, Stoiljkovic
7.18pmNo surprise to see Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu go with a near-unchanged XI. The only change that he has made is an enforced one as Yaroslav Rakitskiy, last week's opening goalscorer, drops out through suspension. Olexandr Kucher was suspended for the first leg, though, and is able to return and take the former's place.
7.21pmBraga coach Paulo Fonseca, meanwhile, has made three changes to his team. Out go Baiano, Pedro Santos and Ahmed Hassan, with Djavan, Josue and Wilson Eduardo coming in. The latter's inclusion was expected after he headed home the Portuguese club's late lifeline after coming on a sub last week.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images7.24pmShakhtar in their away strip again tonight
Let's look behind the scenes! Our dressing room ready for today's @EuropaLeague game #ShakhtarBraga. #UEL pic.twitter.com/WoQDM1iT5r
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 14, 2016
7.27pmSo, now we know the teams. Let's remind ourselves what happened last week. It was a pretty drab first half that Braga just about edged, but Shakhtar went in at the break in front thanks to Rakitskiy's deflected effort. The visitors appeared to take heart from that and improved at the start of the second. Braga then grabbed the initiative, but they were hit on the break by a fine Shakhtar goal finished off by Facundo Ferreyra. That second away goal seemed to kill off the crowd at the Estadio Municipal, but Wilson's late header has given the Archbishops some hope tonight.
7.30pmSTAT: Shakhtar's victory last week means that none of the last 10 European fixtures between Portuguese and Ukrainian clubs has been won by the team from Portugal (six Ukrainian wins, four draws). Braga need to change that tonight and score at least twice to go through.
7.33pmThe problem for Fonseca's side is that they have been much better at home than away in Europe this season. The Archbishops have failed to score in three of their last four Europa League away matches and only won two of their five European matches on the road this season. Their overall form has dipped in recent weeks as well. Between January and March they went on a 15-match unbeaten stretch but have now lost four of the last seven in all competitions and not won any of the last three having been held by bottom-half Primeira Liga side Moreirense on Sunday 😬
7.36pmShakhtar also suffered disappointment at the weekend, conceding a 93rd-minute equaliser against Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk on Sunday to drop five points behind Dynamo Kiev at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League. Still, they are in fine European form...
7.39pmThe Miners have won their last four European matches since a 0-0 draw at home to Schalke 04 in the first leg of their last-32 contest – their best run in Europe since March 2011 (five wins). If they equal that mark and make it five tonight it will also be the first time since October 2012 that they have won back-to-back European matches at home.
7.42pmBoth sides have fond memories of when they last reached the quarter-finals of this competition. Shakhtar were last here in 2009 and went on to win the last-ever edition of the UEFA Cup before it became the Europa League, while Braga went all the way to the final as well in 2010-11 before eventually losing out to fellow Portuguese side Porto.
7.45pm
Inside the dressing rooms at @FCShakhtar_eng v @SCBragaOficial ... #UEL pic.twitter.com/SN7NN92wIP
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 14, 2016
7.48pmH2H: Last week's victory means that Shakhtar have now won all three matches against Braga having also been victorious both home and away in the group stages of the 2010-11 Champions League. Wilson's goal in the dying stages was the first time in almost 270 minutes of football that Braga had scored against Shakhtar after losing the first two meetings 0-3 and 2-0.
7.51pmJust looking at the odds for the overall Europa League winner, Shakhtar are fifth-favourite behind Dortmund, Sevilla, Liverpool and Villarreal, while Braga are 80-1 outsiders given the task they face tonight and the other heavyweights in the competition.
7.54pmBy the way, the draw for the semi-finals will be made tomorrow at around 11.30am UK time. But who will be there, it's almost time to find out!
7.57pmPREDICTION: Right then, before we get underway in Lviv I had best make my prediction. Shakhtar have been arguably the best team of anyone in the knockout stages and it was huge for them to beat a Braga side usually strong at home last week. I can't really see the Portuguese side causing too many problems tonight so I'll say 2-0 to Shakhtar and 4-1 on aggregate. They've already beaten Schalke and Anderlecht by three goals so why not Braga too?
8.00pmHe reaches 486 appearances for the Miners tonight, breaking a record that Mikhail Sokolovskiy has held for nearly three decades.
Darijo #Srna warming up before a milestone game for the club. #ShakhtarBraga https://t.co/L19bigLn20 pic.twitter.com/16Jf0CCDXQ
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 14, 2016
8.03pmTonight's referee is Pavel Kralovec from the Czech Republic and he's just led the two teams out onto the field. Here we go!
0 minKICKOFF! And off we go in Lviv. Can Shakhtar see it out, or will Braga cause an upset?
3 minFirst bit of work for Pyatov in the Shakhtar goal as Wilson beats the offside trap and gets to the ball before it goes out of play. His cross is easily cut out by the hosts' goalkeeper, though.
4 minSloppy play at the back from Braga, but Shakhtar fail to take advantage as Ferreyra plays it behind the run of Kovalenko.
7 minSrna has just made a really important tackle to deny Rafa going through on goal. What an achievement this is!
Captain, legend! 486 matches for #Shakhtar!
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 14, 2016
Darijo #Srna is record holder for the highest number of games for club! pic.twitter.com/5DjVLayzkd
10 minShakhtar look a little nervy so far. The ball was just given away very cheaply and Braga have a corner after Hassan's cross was blocked by Kucher.
12 minNothing comes of the corner, while up the other end Shakhtar have a chance to work something, but Marlos badly overhits a pass aimed in Taison's direction.
14 minUPDATE: Dortmund have started brilliantly in the big one at Anfield. Early goals from Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang have the Germans 2-0 up and Liverpool now need three goals!
15 minPENALTY SHOUT! Oh my! Braga should be about to take a penalty. Hassan surges down the inside-left channel and he's brought down by Kucher, but the referee points for a corner because he thinks he's got the ball. Replays clearly show it was Hassan who touched the ball away and he was definitely brought down.
16 minBOOKING! First yellow card of the night as Kralovec books Braga defender Willy Boly (great name).
19 minAnother corner for Shakhtar; it's been a very encouraging for the Portuguese outfit, but a goal would really put the pressure on Shakhtar.
22 minNothing came of the set piece again, but Braga should be taking heart from the way that they are playing. Having 53% possession in an intimidating foreign atmosphere like this is impressive.
24 minPENALTY TO SHAKHTAR! Matheus wipes out Kovalenko.
25 minGOAL! SHAKHTAR 1-0 BRAGA (DARIJO SRNA, PEN.)
25 minThe captain, on his record-breaking night, slots home from 12 yards. Shakhtar have not been at the races so far, but Matheus slid in rashly on Kovalenko in the box to give away a penalty and Srna makes no mistake. Matheus was also booked for the challenge.
27 minA blow for Braga, but it doesn't actually change what they need to do. Two goals is still what they require in 90 minutes, but now it will take the match to extra time and not give them the outright win.
28 minCHANCE! The problem with the goal for Braga is that it has lifted Shakhtar big time. The Ukrainians almost go two up as Ordets has his shot blocked by Hassan on the line after some flappy goalkeeping from Matheus.
29 minOFF THE POST! Goals change games! Shakhtar well on top now as Ferreyra beats the offside trap and lifts the ball beautifully over Matheus, only to see it hit the outside of the post and go wide.
31 minThe only other goal that's been scored in tonight's semi-finals is over in Prague, where Villarreal lead 1-0 and 3-1 in the tie. Cedric Bakambu has scored all three of the Yellow Submarine's goals in that tie.
34 minSHOT! Braga must not get too disheartened. They started so well but now look vulnerable every time Shakhtar come forward. Ismaily is the latest to have a go for the hosts, shooting wide from 20 yards.
38 minBetter from Braga as left-back Djavan slides over an inviting cross that's just too strong for both Hassan and Wilson. An Archbishops goal before the break would throw the tie wide open.
40 minTop defending from booked Braga centre-back Boly as he stretches to clear a cross facing his own goal about five yards out. That could have gone very wrong.
42 minGOAL! SHAKHTAR 2-0 BRAGA (RICARDO FERREIRA, OG.)
42 minSurely that's game over? Braga, not a great away team, now need three goals in Ukraine. It initially looked like Ferreyra had stabbed home Kovalenko's flicked header, but replays show that the striker actually missed it and it bounced over the line off Ferreira.
44 minAs in the first leg, Braga have played pretty well in the first half but Shakhtar's clinical nature means that they are in full control and on their way to the semi-finals. Here's Srna celebrating the opener:
© AFP
© AFP45+1 minHALF-TIME: SHAKHTAR 2-0 BRAGA
8.50pmNo added time at the end of the first half, with Shakhtar two up on the night and 4-1 ahead on aggregate. Braga can feel a little hard done by as they should have been given a penalty which could have given them the lead. However, they then conceded one and let in an own goal. Only a monumental second-half comeback will get them through. We'll be back in no time to see what happens.
9.05pmRight then. Teams back out for the second half. No changes from either manager.
46 minKICKOFF! Braga, who need three goals remember, get us back underway.
50 minGOAL! SHAKHTAR 3-0 BRAGA (VIKTOR KOVALENKO)
50 minWas just typing that it had been a slow start to the second half, but we have a third goal as Srna produces a fine low cross that Kovalenko turns home from 10 yards. This tie is over, I've just put my life savings on that.
52 minWhat a night Srna is having. He scored the first and has produced both crosses which led to the second and third 🔥
53 minSAVE! Should be four. Ferreyra pulls away from his man easily and cuts back for Malyshev. His shot is a good one, but Matheus gets down and makes a good save low to his right.
55 minBOOKING! Third Braga player into the book and it's Luiz Carlos for a foul on Ferreyra.
57 minBRAGA SUB: Wilson made an impact last week, but not tonight as he is replaced by Stoiljkovic.
60 minRight, busy few minutes here but time for a quick update. Liverpool are now losing 3-1 at home to Dortmund, so the German side will be going through there. Villarreal are whopping Sparta Prague 4-0 away from home, while Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao is the only tie even close. It's 1-1 on the night and 3-2 to Sevilla on aggregate.
62 minSo as it stands, the last four will be Borussia Dortmund, Shakhtar Donetsk, Villarreal and Sevilla. Dortmund will be favourites, but Sevilla have won the competition the last two years and Villarreal and Shakhtar have been very impressive in the quarters. Looks pretty open!
65 minSAVE! Braga just playing for pride now, but they almost get a consolation goal as Josue curls towards the corner and Pyatov keeps him out.
66 minDISALLOWED! Shakhtar have the ball in the net, but it won't count as Ferreyra was adjudged to be offside. He didn't score, shooting agianst the post, but Kovalenko followed up and did bundle it in. Replays show that it was very, very close. Maybe the linesman got it just right.
68 minShakhtar might be fourth favourite by the time we know exactly who is through to the semis, but I doubt the others will fancy facing a team that have beaten Schalke 3-0 over two legs, Anderlecht 4-1 and now lead Braga 5-1!
© AFP
© AFP71 minWell that sums up Braga's night. Nice play down the left from Djavan and he then finds Hassan who tees it up for Vukcevic. The midfielder has time to take aim but then blazes it comically over the bar. I think that went more up than forward!
73 minGOAL! SHAKHTAR 4-0 BRAGA (RICARDO FERREIRA, OG.)
73 minOh dear, a brace for the Braga defender IN THE WRONG NET! Incisive counter-attack from Shakhtar as Taison streaks forward and finds Marlos. Taison then continues his run and is found by Marlos before his cutback is turned home by Ferreira. Had the defender not made contact, then Ferreyra was ready and waiting to tap home.
76 minGranted, Braga's previous knockout opponents Sion and Fenerbahce were not the toughest draws, but you have to give credit to Shakhtar. They have torn apart the Portuguese side, especially tonight.
78 minSUBS: Changes galore as both sides make a double change. For Shakhtar, Eduardo and Dentinho come on for Marlos and Taison, while it's Mauro and Pinto for Carlos and Boly for Braga.
80 minHello! It's tie over here in Ukraine, but Liverpool are back to 3-3 against Dortmund. It's level on aggregate, but the German side are still set to go through because of away goals. If you want to follow the rest then click here!
81 minOh! And Athletic go in front at Sevilla, so that one is heading to extra time! Our live updates on that are this way.
84 minCan't see Shakhtar getting any more here. They've taken their foot off the gas completely and are just cruising through to full time.
86 minSHAKHTAR SUB: Third and final change for the hosts as Bernard comes on for Kovalenko.
90 minInto the final minute then and we're just waiting for the final whistle. Braga started well, but they never recovered from that early penalty decision that didn't go their way and have gradually disintegrated.
90+1 minThree minutes more the fourth official says.
90+2 minCHANCE! How's that not gone in? Braga close to a consolation as Rafa fires across goal and somehow Hassan can't turn it home. Good defending, but he has to score there.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: SHAKHTAR 4-0 BRAGA
9.54pmAll over here and Shakhtar go through with a convincing 6-1 win on aggregate, BUT let me just tell you what's happened at Anfield. Liverpool are BEATING Borussia Dortmund 4-3. They've come back from 3-1 down. Amazing.
9.56pmTime up here I'm afraid, but thanks for joining us. Click back to the home page now for more Europa League coverage. Sevilla-Bilbao is heading to extra time, so this way if you want more. Goooood night!
