Hernández penalty earns Real Betis a 1-1 draw with Braga in Europa League quarterfinals

News > Sports News

Betis' Cucho Hernandez celebrates with teammate Antony after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Betis' Cucho Hernandez celebrates with teammate Antony after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Betis' Cucho Hernandez celebrates after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Betis' Cucho Hernandez celebrates after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Florian Grillitsch, center, scores the opening goal with a heel kick past Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Florian Grillitsch, center, scores the opening goal with a heel kick past Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Jean-Baptiste Gorby, on the ground, fouls Braga's Rodrigo Zalazar in the box to give away a penalty shot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Jean-Baptiste Gorby, on the ground, fouls Braga's Rodrigo Zalazar in the box to give away a penalty shot during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Florian Grillitsch, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Braga's Florian Grillitsch, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Real Betis in Braga, Portugal, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

3:46 PM on Wednesday, April 8

The Associated Press

BRAGA, Portugal (AP) — Cucho Hernández converted a penalty for Real Betis to salvage a 1-1 draw with Braga in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Before the kickoff, players and fans observed a moment of silence to honor Mircea Lucescu, the Romanian soccer great who died this week.

Hernández beat Lukáš Horníček from the spot in the 61st minute after the goalkeeper had saved the Colombia striker's header in the first half.

Florian Grillitsch put the hosts up 1-0 early with a heel shot off a corner kick in what UEFA said is a record 98th game for Braga in Europe's second-tier competition.

Braga is seeking a semifinal for the first time since 2011 when the Portuguese club reached the final.

The other three quarterfinal matches will be played Thursday: Aston Villa at Bologna; Nottingham Forest at Porto; and Freiburg hosts Celta Vigo.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

This content is used here with permission. To view the original visit: https://apnews.com/article/europa-league-quarterfinals-braga-real-betis-44d4958b6c179ac244bf67bcfdf08916
 

You might also be interested in:

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

  • The Chris Stigall Show
    6:00AM - 9:00AM
     
    Equal parts hilarity and desk-pounding monologues with healthy doses of skepticism and sarcasm.
     
  • The Mike Gallagher Show
    9:00AM - 12:00PM
     
    Mike Gallagher is one of the most listened-to radio talk show hosts in America.   >>
     
  • The Alex Marlow Show
    12:00PM - 1:00PM
     
    From the mind of Breitbart News Editor in Chief and New York Times bestselling   >>
     
  • The Scott Jennings Show
    1:00PM - 3:00PM
     
    Jennings is battle-tested on cable news, a veteran of four presidential   >>
     
  • Best Stocks Now
    3:00PM - 4:00PM
     
    Bill Gunderson provides listeners with financial guidance that is both experienced and accomplished.
     

See the Full Program Guide