Arouca have the advantage in the Europa Conference League third round qualifiers after beating Brann 2-1 in the first leg.
The Portuguese club, making their second appearance in Europe after failing to qualify for the 2016-17 Europa League group stage, took the lead in the 23rd minute when Rafa Mujica rounded Mathias Dyngeland and found the net.
Daniel Ramos’ side doubled their advantage in the 74th minute, Mujica setting up Cristo González who side footed into the bottom corner.
Brann got goal back five minutes later when substitute Magnus Warming broke clear and beat Ignacio de Arruabarrena.
The stage is set for another exciting match in the second leg in Bergen next week.
Arouca on top
It was an exciting start with Arouca creating the first clear cut opportunity in the 9th minute. Jason produced a perfect cross for Rafa Mujica, his shot saved Mathias Dyngeland.
Cristo González fired a weak shot at Dyngeland before the hosts wasted another glorious chance. Another cross from Jason picked out Morlaye Sylla who shot narrowly over the bar.
Brann weathered the storm and started to threaten, Felix Myhre dragging his shot off target and Bard Finne flashing a free kick wide.
Rafa Mujica opens the scoring
Their resistance was short lived however as Arouca opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.
It was the Spanish attacking trio combining as Jason released González, the summer signing giving Mujica another chance that he accepted by taking the ball around a stranded Dyngeland and slotting into an empty net.
Finne went close with another free kick but it was Arouca who finished the first half strong.
Mujica forced another save from Dyngeland before González saw two weak shots comfortably gathered. Mujica then got past Ruben Kristiansen out wide and surged into the box where Dyngeland made an important save.
Eirik Horneland made a change at the break, Moonga Aluta Simba making way for Thore Pedersen.
Chances at both ends
The Norwegian club started the second half well, Ignacio de Arruabarrena defusing Niklas Castro’s effort and producing an important save to deny Finne.
Arouca should have doubled their lead in the 57th minute. A great team move saw Quaresma break clear, his perfect cross to the back post picking out González who volleyed over the bar from point blank range.
Magnus Warming replaced Castro in the 61st minute as Brann’s best chances continued to come from set pieces, particularly free kicks.
González doubles the advantage
It was Arouca who would add to their lead in the 74th minute however, and once again it was their Spanish trio involved. Jason got into the box and found Mujica, the striker laying the ball to González who took a touch and side footed into the bottom corner.
André Bukia replaced Sylla before Frederik Borsting made way for Ulrik Mathisen. Mathisen was immediately involved, his effort saved by de Arruabarrena.
Brann fight back
Arouca were showing no signs of being able to close it out and Brann took advantage in the 79th minute.
A rapid attack saw Myhre releasing Warming who beat the offside trap and hold off Jerome Opoku before producing a classy finish past de Arruabarrena.
The visitors appearaed comfortable with the result as Arouca went closest to regaining their two-goal advantage. Jason won a free kick that he saw deflected over the bar, Bukia unable to convert a cross at the back post with the last chance of the game.
Analysis
Arouca fully deserved the victory and will be disappointed to have conceded after going 2-0 ahead. A tricky second leg in Bergen awaits, but they have put themselves into prime position to reach the play-offs.
It’s an important moment for the club who are in Europe for the second time in history. Regardless of their ability to qualify for the Conference League group stage, their main task is consolidating their spot in the top half of the Primeira Liga.
Journeyman manager Daniel Ramos has replaced Armando Evangelista, Arouca attempting to overcome the losses of João Basso, Alan Ruiz, Antony and to some extent Oday Dabbagh.
Midfielder Eboue Kouassi, winger Jason and supporting striker Cristo González were sighed on free transfers this summer, got starts against Branna and performed well.
André Bukia has returned from his loan spell at Al-Batin but might have come off the bench to spend some time in the shop window.
The main talking point has to be the Spanish strike force consisting of Jason, Cristo González and Rafa Mujica. The trio showed plenty of promise, Ramos and Arouca supporters hoping they can continue to develop their understanding in the attacking third.
