Braga 2-1 Freiburg
Dorgeles sparked wild celebrations with a stoppage-time goal, handing the Portuguese side a narrow advantage heading into the return leg in Germany—but they will have to cope without Horta.
The first battle in Braga was anything but dull.
It was a cruel ending for a Freiburg side that faded and paid the price. Dorgeles sent the Municipal Stadium into a frenzy in a match that started strong but slowed down, only to finish with a huge climax. Penalties, injuries, and stretches of lackluster football defined the contest, but that is still a way to win—just ask Carlos Vicens.
Amid a thunderous atmosphere, the match at the Braga Municipal began in the best possible way. The home side stormed forward, and with an excellent Victor Gómez constantly joining the attack, they scored the opener in the 8th minute. The Spanish full-back delivered a precise, pinpoint cross that an opportunistic Tiknaz met to beat Atubolu and put his side ahead.
The German response was not long in coming. A shocking defensive error from Braga’s two center-backs, Oliveira and Lagerbielke, allowed Beste to charge towards goal and set up Grifo for a tap-in to equalize. Shortly after, Braga’s talisman Ricardo Horta limped off in tears just past the 20-minute mark.
Despite the setback, Braga remained the superior side. From that dominance, Lienhart conceded a blatant penalty for a clear shirt pull. Zalazar stepped up to face the future of the German goal, firing a powerful shot to the left—but Atubolu produced an incredible one-handed save to deny him.
Atubolu holds the record for five consecutive penalty saves in the Bundesliga, and Zalazar had already missed a crucial penalty for his side in Portugal. The writing seemed on the wall.
However, the second half took an unexpected turn after the opening 45 minutes. To borrow from the stadium’s theme, it was a rocky second half—stagnant, with few chances and plenty of stoppages and yellow cards. A typical Anthony Taylor affair.
Braga grew into the game as the minutes ticked by, having started poorly under Carlos Vicens and suffering on the counter. But they controlled without real danger. Then, when no one saw it coming, Dorgeles capitalized on a howler from Atubolu, who went from hero to villain. The Municipal erupted.
A slender lead for the Portuguese side heading into the return leg in Freiburg. Everything remains open. Zalazar breathes a sigh of relief.
