Key Takeaways
- SC Braga seized a narrow first-leg advantage in Germany thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Mario Dorgeles.
- Referee Anthony Taylor faced heavy criticism for allowing Freiburg’s equaliser despite a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity seconds earlier.
- Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu saved a first-half penalty but his uncertain handling proved costly in the final moments.
SC Freiburg must overturn a first-leg deficit in the return fixture after suffering a heartbreaking home defeat to SC Braga. The German side appeared set for a draw until a goalkeeping error in the dying seconds changed the tie.
The visitors stunned the home crowd at the Europa-Park Stadion with an early strike. Demir Ege Tıknaz opened the scoring inside the opening minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up by Jordy Makengo to convert a low cross from Víctor Gómez.
Freiburg responded through Vincenzo Grifo, who notched his third goal of the knockout phase. However, the equaliser sparked major controversy. Just moments before the finish, Braga midfielder Vítor Carvalho hauled down Igor Matanović as the last defender, yet English referee Anthony Taylor played advantage rather than showing a straight red card.
The hosts suffered further setbacks when Braga captain Ricardo Horta left the pitch with an injury, forcing coach Carlos Vicens into an early reshuffle. Freiburg nearly took the lead when Philipp Lienhart conceded a penalty for a foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke, but 23-year-old shot-stopper Noah Atubolu produced a brilliant save to deny Rodrigo Zalazar from the spot. This marked Atubolu’s sixth penalty save from ten attempts for the club.
The second half produced fewer clear chances, though Maximilian Eggestein forced a smart stop from Lukáš Horníček. Freiburg also saw penalty appeals waved away after a challenge on Makengo.
As the match entered its closing stages, Braga poured forward. Lienhart breathed a sigh of relief after avoiding a second penalty concession and possible dismissal for a foul on substitute Fran Navarro. However, the Portuguese side found their winner in the final moments. Carvalho tested Atubolu with a low drive, but the goalkeeper spilled the effort into the path of substitute Mario Dorgeles, who smashed home the rebound.
Freiburg will look to bounce back in their Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg before making the trip to Portugal for the decisive second leg. Braga, meanwhile, face Estoril Praia domestically before defending their narrow lead at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.