Claudio Braga scores for HeartsSNS

At a glance

  • Slick Motherwell go 3-0 up through goals from Slattery, Maswanhise and Longelo

  • Half-time substitue Braga inspires Hearts in final half hour, scoring twice as side roar back to snatch draw

  • Both teams have chances to win incredible game late on

  • PLAYER RATER

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23/08/25

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Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts roared back from three goals down to earn a draw at home to Motherwell in a ridiculous six-goal Scottish Premiership thriller.

Motherwell were superb for just over an hour, scoring three well-worked goals through Callum Slattery, Tawanda Maswanhise and Emmanuel Longelo to leave Tynecastle stunned and some Hearts fans heading for the exits.

However, half-time substitute Claudio Braga almost single-handedly dragged Hearts back into the game.

The Portuguese forward scored twice, the first a brilliant run in behind and fierce finish which was initially ruled out for offside, before pouncing when Harry Milne's shot was spilled by Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward to equalise.

Milne had started the comeback with an unstoppable first-time effort three minutes after Motherwell had made it 3-0, and Derek McInnes' side kicked on from there.

In a surreal finish, Braga did everything but score a hat-trick. Ward thwarted him twice, including tipping his shot on to a post in the dying seconds.

Moments before that, debutant Callum Hendry had a gilt-edged opportunity to score for Motherwell, only for a brilliant block to deny him.

The gutsy comeback means Hearts are still unbeaten after starting with two wins from two, while it is a third draw from three for Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell.

Analysis: Braga has to start as Motherwell thrill

Where to start with that game? Hearts will end it the happier given the situation they were in, but arguably they have the most to ponder.

Braga has been a standout all season and it was strange he was left on the bench, and it was his quality and tenacity which sparked the comeback.

It feels as though McInnes, who changed formation after last week's League Cup exit, it still working out his best side given the volume of summer signings.

What's becoming clear is Braga has to be in his best XI, wherever he plays.

Baningime too gives them far more control in midfield. He was the other of the half-time changes, which the Hearts boss is having to make too frequently.

The good news is the character and energy is there with this Hearts side, which has managed seven points from nine despite not totally convincing at times and falling behind in their last two league games.

But for an hour they were completely outplayed, which will not be forgotten despite the superb comeback.

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As for Motherwell, this will sting. They could not have played any better for an hour, scoring three brilliant goals.

The first from Slattery involved a big slice of luck as his shot diverted in off Michael Steinwender, but it came from a well-worked short corner.

But the second was wonderfully crafted all the way from goalkeeper Ward up to Elijah Just, who jinked inside and teed up Maswanhise to slam home.

Similarly, they sliced straight through Hearts with their third goal. Stephen O'Donell moved into space and set Just away, who had a simple job of squaring to Longelo for a tap in.

It was imperious stuff, until it wasn't. There was not a great deal they could have done with Milne's goal, but Hearts' second exposed their high defensive line and Ward should never have spilled Milne's shot for the equaliser.

Berthel Askou, though, has stamped a clear identity on this Motherwell team very early in the season as other clubs with greater resources struggle to look slick.

The question is ultimately whether Motherwell have enough quality at both ends to carry his vision out effectively enough to win plenty of games.

What they said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "We were on the floor. We've dug deep to get an important point which keeps us unbeaten in the league.

"But for long spells Motherwell were too comfortable. The first goal at Tynecastle can make the job twice as hard if you lose it, and twice as comfortable if you get it.

"It was a tough situation and the players deserve a lot of credit."

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "We played fantastic football for most of the game.

"We knew when Hearts had their spells they could put us under pressure. We know they have qualities at set-pieces and whatever drops around the box.

"We wanted to keep them away from that as long as we could. We succeeded well until we lost a bit of momentum."

What's next for these teams?

Both sides are in action next Saturday in the Premiership. Hearts are away to Livingston (15:00 BST), while Motherwell are at home to Kilmarnock.

Where next?

Player of the match

Cláudio Braga
8.08
10 Cláudio Braga
8.08
6 B. Baningime
6.34
18 H. Milne
6.24
4 C. Halkett
6.09
89 A. Kyziridis
5.79
19 S. Findlay
5.46
16 B. Spittal
5.38
2 F. Kent
5.21
14 C. Devlin
4.94
15 M. Steinwender
4.83
9 L. Shankland
4.81
31 O. McEntee
4.73
28 Z. Clark
4.42
21 J. Wilson
4.30
17 A. Forrest
4.25
11 P. Kabore
4.11
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