Braga shock Sevilla in Champions League play-offs

Spain may have claimed the World Cup dumping out neighbouring Portugal along the way, but the boot was on the other foot yesterday as Braga denied Sevilla a place in the Champions League group phase.

Spain may have claimed the World Cup dumping out neighbouring Portugal along the way, but the boot was on the other foot yesterday as Braga denied Sevilla a place in the Champions League group phase. After Braga won the home leg by the only goal a week ago, progress appeared to be a formality, but the visitors had other ideas as they won a thrilling return game 4-3.

Werder Bremen's Claudio Pizzaro (left) celebrates his goal. pic/afp

Matheus and Rodrigo Lima, fed by the Brazilian, scored after 30 and 60 minutes respectively to give the Portuguese a rousing start.

But Luis Fabiano netted for the Spaniards within seconds of Lima's strike and it seemed that the hosts would survive after Jesus Navas levelled it with five minutes left on the clock off a Freddy Kanoute assist.

But, Lima then made it 3-2 almost straight from the restart after Silvio played him through on goal and then with 90 minutes showing completed his hat-trick to put the contest beyond doubt.

However, Kanoute managed to pull one back but Braga held on.

Elsewhere, Werder Bremen also progressed to the group stages ousting Sampdoria.

Giampaolo Pazzini netted twice (8th & 13th mins) before Antonio Cassano struck a third five minutes from time to put Sampdoria 3-0 up and on course for the group stages having seemingly overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit.
But Bremen substitute Markus Rosenberg scored in the third minute of stoppage time to send the tie to extra time. Claudio Pizarro then struck to give the Germans a 5-4 aggregate win. ufffd

Results
Anderlecht 2-3 Partizan Belgrade
FC Sheriff 0-3 Basel
Hapoel Tel Aviv 1-1 RB Salzburg
Sampdoria 3-2 Werder Bremen
Sevilla 3-4 Braga