Benfica were defeated 2-0 in Braga with goals from either half in a hugely controversial match.

Jorge Jesus fielded the same side as the previous match and decided to continue with Fábio Coentrão at left-back on his return to former club, where he managed last season.

The home side took the lead early on from Hugo Viana’s free kick. The former Newcastle player drove a tightly angled shot past Quim and over the head of Cardozo, who was standing at the far post.

Ramires nearly made amends shortly after but his close effort was blocked by Eduardo. The Portugal keeper was at it again when Di María flash a shot across goal and was parried out for a corner.

Luisão equalized on the 27th minute after rising above keeper Eduardo and heading the ball into an empty net. But the goal was wrongly ruled out as Jorge Sousa pointed at Cardozo's 'foul', allegedly pulling on a defenders shirt whilst being put under pressure from an elbow himself.

The heat of the game boiled into the tunnels as Cardozo was hit in the face by two Braga players, who were not even punished even though the assistant referee was close to the incident. The brawl may have started after Di María casually kicked the ball out of play, when the whistle had already blown for half-time, but the Braga staff and substitutes somehow took offence.

Cardozo and Leone were both sent off and the second-half began with 10 men for either side.

Both Di María and Maxi Pereira had good chances to revert the score to a more fairer result. Benfica were playing the better football and Braga were content to play on the counter.

Keirrison went close to equalizing but his effort was wide, and eventually Braga set the final result when Paulo César finished from 8 yards.

Braga displace themselves from under Benfica and go 3 points ahead in the Liga Sagres.

Planet Benfica's Key Players: Luisão and Ramires

Date: Saturday 31st October 2009, 21:15 GMT PT/UK (22:15 CET - 17:15 EDT)
Venue: Estádio AXA, Braga
Competition: Liga Sagres - Jornada 9
Referee: Jorge Sousa (A.F. Porto)
Assistant Referees: José Ramalho, José Luís Melo
Fourth Referee Hugo Pacheco
Attendance: 24,181
Weather: Cloudy 20°C
TV: Sport TV 1

BRAGA - Eduardo; João Pereira, Moisés, André Leone and Evaldo; Vandinho (c) and Hugo Viana (Madrid 86'); Alan, Márcio Mossoró (Matheus 59') and Paulo César; Meyong (Rodriguez 45')
Subs: Kieszek, Rodriguez, Diogo Valente, Madrid, Ney, Adriano and Matheus
Coach: Domingos Paciência

BENFICA - Quim; Maxi Pereira, Luisão (c), David Luiz and Fábio Coentrão; Javi Garcia (Keirrison 55'), Ramires, Di María and Aimar (Ruben Amorim 82'); Saviola (Weldon 82') and Cardozo
Subs: Júlio César, Sidnei, Ruben Amorim, Felipe Menezes, Nuno Gomes, Keirrison and Weldon
Coach: Jorge Jesus

Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Fábio Coentrão (6'), Javi García (30'), João Pereira (31'), David Luiz (31'), Saviola (41'), Paulo César (69'). Red card to André Leone (45') and Cardozo (45')

Highlights: Click here to watch highlights and goals or here