misimović magic conjures victory for wolfsburg published: thursday 27 november 2008, 23.39cet sc braga 2-3 vfl wolfsburg zvjezdan misimović scored twice in the dying minutes to hand the bundesliga outfit a dramatic and invaluable group e victory in portugal.
zvjezdan misimović scored twice in the dying minutes to give vfl wolfsburg a dramatic and invaluable victory at sc braga.
late drama the portuguese side seemed to be heading for a uefa cup group e win when, after a bizarre early home goal was cancelled out by edin džeko's strike, albert meyong put braga in front early in the second half. but misimović converted a penalty with seven minutes remaining and then stunned the home crowd by netting deep into injury time. not only did that goal ensure group leaders ac milan's progress, it also meant wolfsburg need one point from their last two games to join them in the round of 32.
lead cancelled out wolfsburg, 5-1 victors over sc heerenveen in their opening match three weeks ago, fell behind on six minutes when andrea barzagli's attempted clearance from meyong's effort hit fellow defender ricardo costa and went in. however, the bundesliga team responded well and after braga goalkeeper eduardo was forced to save from christian gentner, he was beaten in the 24th minute. ashkan dejagah met a cross from the right with a shot that eduardo could only parry and džeko was on hand to equalise.
braga ahead braga, level on points with wolfsburg at kick-off, restored their advantage four minutes into the second half after matheus advanced down the left and found meyong, who finished from close range. they nearly made it 3-1 on 74 minutes but substitute luis aguiar's free-kick narrowly cleared the top corner and wolfsburg made the most of their let-off.
comeback džeko was fouled in the box by rodriguez, enabling misimović to send eduardo the wrong way with his penalty. nor was the munich-born bosnia-herzegovina midfielder finished, as in the fourth added minute he pounced to chest down and shoot in the rebound after eduardo's block from džeko, giving braga a repeat of their last-gasp loss at milan on matchday 2. still, victory for braga in their final fixture at heerenveen next thursday would take them through if wolfsburg avoid defeat against portsmouth fc.
