Cardozo gives Benfica the edge

BENFICA will take a slight advantage into the second leg of their all-Portuguese Europa League semi-final following a deserved victory over Braga at the Estadio da Luz.

The hosts dominated for long periods but victory was only secured by a thumping Oscar Cardozo free-kick on the hour mark.

Only nine minutes earlier Benfica had finally been rewarded for a dominant first-half when Jardel poked them ahead, but in between Braga claimed a valuable away goal when Vandinho glanced in a Hugo Viana free-kick.