The expulsion with a direct red of the Spanish striker Abel Ruiz conditioned this Thursday Sporting Braga, eliminated by Vizela (1-0) in the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, a phase in which Moreirense and Belenenses, from first division, surpassed by Mafra and Rio Ave, respectively, in the second category of Portuguese football.
Abel Ruiz left the pitch of the Do Vizela stadium at half an hour when he starred in a tough tackle on Nuno Moreira, who precisely at nine minutes had put Vizela ahead on the scoreboard.
The VAR condemned Abel Braga
Initially the referee showed the Spanish international the yellow card, but, when warned by the VAR after the action was reviewed, Abel Ruiz saw the red card and was sent off.
The Braga, current champion of the tournament and favorite in the confrontation, could not turn the situation around outnumbered. In addition, the match ended with nine men because Andre Horta, at 8’9, was also forced to leave the field.
Two teams of Second, classified
Along with Vizela, 14th classified in the Primeira Liga, Mafra and Rio Ave, in Second, achieved the classification after expanding the list of surprises of this cup. They left the Moreirense and Belenenses, both of the highest category, on the way.
Mafra beat Moreirense, who went ahead by half an hour with a goal from Brazilian Yan and who also played from 33 ‘with one more man for the expulsion of local Gilherme Ferreira.
Still, the Mafra rallied. Bura, from a penalty, equalized shortly before the break, and Pedro Barcelos and Andrezinho finished the Mafra classification.
Rio Ave, meanwhile, left Belenenses out of the Cup after winning on penalties in Vila do Conde (1-1). Nuno Pedro put the visitors ahead after nine minutes but Hugo Gomes got the equalizer on the brink of intermission for Luis Freire’s team, who maintained the rate until penalties, where he sealed his classification.
Braga, Mafra and Rio Ave join Tondela, Portimonense, Leça and Sporting, who previously sealed their pass.
Round of 16 results
Today
MAFRA 3 – Moreirense 1
RIO AVE 1 – Belenenses 1
VIZELA 1 – Braga 0
Porto – Benfica AT PLAY
Tuesday 21 December
TONDELA 3 – Estoril 1
Famalicao 1 – PORTIMONENSE 1 (+)
Wednesday 22 December
LEÇA 1 – Walls 1 (+)
House Sink 1 – SPORTING 2
(+): by penalties
Qualified for final quarters: Leça, Sporting, Portimonense, Tondela, Mafra, Rio Ave and Vizela.