Braga keep hopes alive with win over Arsenal
BRAGA, Portugal, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Two late goals by Brazilian forward Matheus gave Braga a 2-O win over Arsenal in Champions League Group H on Tuesday to deny the London team the satisfaction of sealing their progress into the second round.
Substitute Elton created Matheus's first goal moments after coming on by supplying a delightful pass from his own half. Matheus ran into the box and put the ball over Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski on 83 minutes.
Matheus's second came deep into injury time, also from a counter-attack, with the forward surrounded by three Arsenal defenders but still managing to fire in a shot that went in after hitting the bar.
Braga had conceded six goals in their group-stage debut at Arsenal in September but were much improved at home, giving the English side little room to deploy their smooth passing game.
Arsenal lost the Group H lead to Shakhtar Donetsk, 3-0 winners over bottom team Partizan Belgrade.
In a largely uneventful and low-tempo first half, clear chances were rare for either side.
The Londoners' best opportunity came when Cesc Fabregas led a counter-attack and sent Theo Walcott racing through into the box on 35 minutes, but keeper Filipe rushed out to block the forward's shot.
Braga's finest effort came just moments later, with Brazilian striker Lima sending a powerful drive from 25 metres just wide of Fabianski's right post.
Walcott posed a danger again five minutes after halftime with a free kick that went just over the Portuguese bar.
Failing to penetrate the Arsenal box, Braga opted for long-distance efforts, but Lima's diagonal shot on 58 minutes and a powerful drive by Luis Aguiar two minutes later both went just wide.
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger then substituted his three forwards and Carlos Vela was unlucky not to have earned a penalty when he was fouled by Alberto Rodriguez in the 78th minute.
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