Following a 1-1 draw across the Iberian border seven days ago, Manuel Pellegrini’s side raced out of the traps in pursuit of the final four, as Antony deftly nodded home Abde Ezzalzouli’s deflected cross to give the hosts a deserved lead on 13 minutes.
That raised the volume inside a buoyant Estadio de La Cartuja, and Ezzalzouli popped up again, crisply steering home Pablo Fornals’ cutback 12 minutes later to put the hosts 2-0 up from close range.
That appeared to put Betis in control, as Ezzalzouli buried Antony’s pass, only for VAR to rule it out for offside against the former Manchester United winger in the build-up.
Fuelled by this reprieve, ex-Barcelona striker Pau Victor volleyed Braga back into the game just before half-time, after a defensive mix-up between Betis duo Marc Bartra and Diego Llorente.
That spark of a fightback was seized on by Braga instantly after the restart.
Vitor Carvalho’s towering header dragged them level at 2-2, and with the wind in their sails, the Portuguese outfit powered ahead on 53 minutes.
Appropriately, it was club talisman Ricardo Horta who completed the comeback, when he calmly rolled home his 20th goal of the season from the penalty spot, after Sofyan Amrabat clumsily brought down Demir Tiknaz to leave Betis stunned.
A tense finale seemed inevitable, as Betis poured forward in search of a route back into the match.
But it was Braga who made the result safe on 75 minutes, when a poor headed clearance from Ricardo Rodriguez sat perfectly for Jean-Baptiste Gorby on the edge of Betis’ box, and the 23-year-old bulleted past Pau Lopez to send Braga into dreamland in Andalucia.
Carlos Vicens’ side now take on Bundesliga team Freiburg in the semis, with a home first-leg on April 30th, in their first appearance at this stage of the competition since losing the 2011 final to Porto.
As for Betis, they return to LaLiga action next weekend, with Los Verdiblancos currently fifth - finishing there would seal Champions League qualification, if the Spanish top-flight gain an expected extra place for next season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ricardo Horta (Braga)
