Braga saw off Celericense 6-1 in the Round of 128 of the Portuguese Cup on Saturday afternoon. The hosts were always in control, and the result puts them through to the next stage. By then, the tie was already decided, but the goals kept coming.
The opening strike came in the ninth minute, and from there the hosts never looked back. Two more followed before half-time at twenty-one and twenty-four minutes, which gave Braga breathing space. To be fair, Celericense had a few chances but found no answer. The third goal at thirty-one minutes killed any hope of recovery.
The second half brought three more goals, and the hosts kept pushing. At seventy-one minutes the fifth came, and then the sixth at seventy-four. The final goal arrived in stoppage time at ninety-two minutes, a total of seven goals in the match. It was a comfortable evening for Braga, and they went for the jugular until the whistle.
Statistically, the match told a similar story. Braga held 51 percent possession and managed seven shots on target compared to two for the visitors. Celericense had more corners—nine to one—and more attacks, but the quality wasn't there. Shots off target were five for Braga against ten for Celericense, which shows they were shooting from distance without much conviction.
Both sides received one yellow card each, and there were no red cards. Braga had four offsides while Celericense had three. The throw-ins favoured the visitors—thirty-six to twenty-five—and goal kicks were sixteen for Braga against four for Celericense, another sign of who dominated territory.
The result extends Braga's good run in cup competition. They beat Rebello 4-0 in their last outing, and this performance builds on that momentum. Celericense had won one of their last five, a 1-0 victory over Penedense, but that form evaporated quickly here. The scoreline and goal difference now reflect a team that knows how to finish off an opponent.
What matters most is the progression. Braga have kept three clean sheets on the spin in their recent record, and this match adds another dimension to their cup campaign. The academy graduate marked his first start with a goal, which is always a moment to remember. Cup football has its own rules, and Braga understand them well.
The final whistle confirmed what everyone expected by then. Braga advance, and the next round will bring a new test. The support of the fans could be called devoted, but that is an assessment, not a fact. The fact is that the club sits top of the table, and this result keeps them there.