Braga Secure First-Leg Win Over Freiburg in Europa Semi-Final

A late goal in stoppage time from substitute Mario Dorgeles gave Braga a narrow 2-1 win over Freiburg in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final in Portugal.

Braga went ahead in the 8th minute when Turkish midfielder Demir Ege Tiknaz met Victor Gomez’s low cross and finished from close range into the bottom corner.

Freiburg levelled things up eight minutes later after a mistake involving two Braga defenders. Jan-Niklas Beste broke through and passed it across the goal for Vincenzo Grifo to tap in.

Braga, who were Europa League runners-up in 2011-12, then lost their captain Ricardo Horta to injury in the first half. They also missed a big chance to go ahead again when they were given a penalty after Philipp Lienhart fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke. Referee Anthony Taylor gave the spot-kick after checking the pitchside monitor.

Rodrigo Zalazar took the penalty, but Freiburg keeper Noah Atubolu made a great save to push it away. He has now stopped six of his last seven penalties.

Freiburg, playing in a European semi-final for the first time, looked more dangerous in the second half. But in the end, Dorgeles finished from a cutback near the byline to seal the win and spark celebrations in northern Portugal.

Now, the second leg between the two teams will be played at Europa-Park stadium on May 7. The winner will then meet either Nottingham Forest or Aston Villa in the final at the Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul on May 20.