Fiorentina went 2-0 down, came back to win 3-2 with a hat-trick of Giacomo Bonaventura assists and had a bizarre moment when VAR over-ruled goal-line technology, but got past Braga to book their place in the Conference League last 16.

The Viola won the first leg 4-0 in Portugal, also thanks to Vitor Tormena’s red card, so he was suspended for this tie along with Lorenzo Venuti, plus Nikola Milenkovic injured. Braga wore a special edition jersey with the main sponsor replaced by the Portuguese Red Cross, raising funds for those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Tiago Sa made the save on Nico Gonzalez’s early header from a Cristiano Biraghi cross, but Salvatore Sirigu was tested by Rodrigo Gomes and eventually beaten by Andre Horta from the edge of the box with a ferocious, low first-time strike on the bounce.

Braga almost got another, Sirigu right behind the Alvaro Djaló screamer from distance and Luca Ranieri clearing the loose ball, but he did get his goal with a long-range effort that bounced into the far bottom corner.

Fiorentina fortunately woke up and got one back, Giacomo Bonaventura breaking down the right to pull back for Rolando Mandragora’s deflected finish from 12 yards.

Nico Gonzalez’s header was tipped onto the roof of the net and the Viola completed the comeback to 2-2 when substitute Aleksa Terzic rolled across from the right, finding Arthur Cabral sliding in at the back post. Tiago Sa made the save and goal-line technology activated, insisting the ball had gone over first. However, after a lengthy VAR check with the cameras, the goal was disallowed, citing a technical malfunction.

Fiorentina did equalise eventually, Bonaventura surging forward and rolling across for Riccardo Saponara to sweep in with his right boot.

Bonaventura completed a hat-trick of assists and finally gave Arthur Cabral a goal that counted with a volley at the back post.

Fiorentina 3-2 Braga (7-2 agg)

Andre Horta 17 (B), Djaló 35 (B), Mandragora 37 (F), Saponara 58 (F), Cabral 83 (F)

23-02-2023 20:00
1/16 Final

Player statistic

1st half
    17' Goal Castro
    34' Goal Álvaro Djaló
(Assist: Simon Banza)
Rolando Mandragora
(Assist: Giacomo Bonaventura)
Goal 37'    
Dodô Yellow card 39'    
2nd half
Nicólas González Yellow card 56'    
Riccardo Saponara
(Assist: Giacomo Bonaventura)
Goal 58'    
Lucas Martínez Quarta Yellow card 70'    
Cristiano Biraghi Yellow card 71'    
Arthur Cabral
(Assist: Giacomo Bonaventura)
Goal 83'    

Match statistic

49
Possession %
51
17
Total shots
12
6
Shots on target
5
10
Shots off target
2
1
Blocked shots
5
7
Corners
5
2
Offsides
1
15
Fouls
9
Fiorentina
Braga

Starting lineups

56
Goalkeeper
3
2
Defender
46'
16
Defender
42
Midfielder
60'
5
Midfielder
8
Midfielder
74'
38
Midfielder
77'
9
Attacker
22
60'
12
Goalkeeper
26
Defender
17
Defender
15
Defender
4
Defender
81'
14
Midfielder
72'
10
Midfielder
62'
88
Midfielder
22
Midfielder
63'
7
Attacker
23
Attacker
72'

Substitutes

1
Goalkeeper
32
Midfielder
33
Attacker
98
Defender
72
Midfielder
7
Attacker
99
15
Defender
46'
11
Attacker
60'
10
Midfielder
60'
77
Attacker
74'
34
Midfielder
77'
45
Attacker
1
Goalkeeper
6
Defender
11
Attacker
29
Midfielder
2
Defender
89
Midfielder
21
Attacker
62'
19
Midfielder
63'
27
Attacker
72'
9
Attacker
72'
Defender
81'

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