FC Shakhtar Donetsk 4 - 0 Sporting Braga: Darijo Srna celebrates landmark with goal as Shakhtar Donetsk crush Braga

Posted Friday, April 15, 2016 by PA

Captain Darijo Srna toasted breaking Shakhtar Donetsk's all-time appearance record by blasting the penalty that sent the Ukrainians into the Europa League semi-finals.

Evergreen Croatia full-back Srna racked up a club-record 486th appearance in Lviv on Thursday night, converting a first-half spot kick and laying on two assists in Shakhtar's 4-0 victory over Braga.

The 33-year-old defender moved 18th on the list of all-time appearances in European club competition, edging ahead of former France midfielder Claude Makelele - and celebrated in style by firing the penalty that helped cement Shakhtar's 6-1 aggregate victory.

Srna's cross later forced Braga defender Ricardo Ferreira into the first of two own goals, as Shakhtar reached Europe's second-tier semi-finals for the first time since lifting the UEFA Cup in 2009.

The former Hajduk Split defender captained Shakhtar to the 2-1 win over Werder Bremen that secured the club's first European title, and will now be intent on a repeat seven years on.

Srna capped his milestone masterclass with the cutback assist for Viktor Kovalenko to strike Shakhtar's third, before Taison's cross forced Ferreira to turn the ball into his own net for the second time.

Braga never recovered from being denied a clear penalty when centre back Olexandr Kucher upended Ahmed Hassan, as the game sprung to life after a cagey opening quarter-hour.

The Portuguese failed to settle, full-back Marcelo Goiano caught cold failing to cut out a neat pass to Kovalenko.

Goalkeeper Matheus felled the Ukrainian forward, and this time the penalty was awarded.

Braga's Brazilian stopper was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card, but could do little to stop Srna's low drilled penalty.

The skipper's 10th goal in European football settled the hosts and ended any argument on which side would watch Friday's semi-final draw with any vested interest.

Facundo Ferreyra hit the post with a neat chipped finish as Shakhtar attacked again, and the home side were not made to wait long for their second goal.

Srna turned provider this time, his whipped right-wing cross bundled into his own net by defender Ferreira.

Kovalenko first missed Ismaily's left-wing cross before failing to make contact with Srna's threatening ball, leaving Ferreira unable to take evasive action and forced to concede the own goal.

Kovalenko finally found the net by striking the third goal after the break, with Srna again providing the assist via a low cut-back cross.

Luckless Braga centre back Ferreira then netted his second own goal of the night, forced into another blooper thanks to Taison's teasing low cross.