At Estádio Municipal de Braga, SC Braga ground out a narrow 1–0 win over Nottingham Forest in the UEFA Europa League league stage, decided by a single second‑half own goal. On a night where clear chances were scarce for the hosts, Carlos Vicens’ side made their control of possession count just enough to punish Sean Dyche’s visitors. The result lifts Braga to 16 points from seven games, consolidating fifth place in the overall league table and a play-off path into the round of 16, while Forest stay 16th on 11 points and remain bound for the 1/16-finals.
First-half analysis
The first half unfolded as a tight, largely attritional contest with no goals and few clear breakthroughs. The tone was set even before kick-off, when Braga substitute goalkeeper Tiago Sá was booked for argument at -5', an early indicator of the tension around the fixture.
Once the game began, both sides cancelled each other out. Braga’s back three and Forest’s 4-4-2 kept central spaces congested, and there were no goals or cards for the visitors before the interval. The only notable disciplinary moment in open play came at 8', when Sikou Niakaté was cautioned for a foul, forcing the Braga defender to manage the rest of the half under the threat of a second booking.
With the score 0–0 at the break and no goals, the narrative of the opening 45 minutes was one of stalemate: Forest were able to limit Braga’s threat in the final third, while Vicens’ side, despite their technical base in midfield, struggled to turn possession into shots on target.
Second half & tactical shifts
Vicens made his first significant adjustment immediately after the restart. At 46', Niakaté, already on a yellow, was withdrawn and replaced by midfielder Vítor Carvalho. That change nudged Braga towards a more conservative defensive risk profile while adding fresh legs in midfield. Moments later, at 50', Gabriel Martínez went into the book for a foul, underlining the physical edge in Braga’s attempts to disrupt Forest transitions.
The decisive moment arrived at 54'. Under pressure, Ryan Yates turned Ricardo Horta’s involvement into disaster for Forest, diverting the ball into his own net for an own goal that put Braga 1–0 up. Horta was credited with the assist, reflecting his key role in forcing the error, and from that point the hosts had a lead to protect rather than chase.
Vicens then doubled down on control. At 62', Florian Grillitsch made way for João Moutinho, adding experience and composure in the centre, while Fran Navarro was replaced by Pau Víctor to refresh the forward line. Dyche responded with a triple substitution at 68': Ola Aina was replaced by Neco Williams at right-back, James McAtee by Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Douglas Luiz by Elliot Anderson, a clear attempt to inject more attacking impetus and creativity as Forest chased the game.
Further tweaks followed at 75', with Horta replaced by Mario Dorgeles for Braga, and Dilane Bakwa making way for Nicolás Domínguez for Forest, another midfield recalibration. Braga’s final change at 85' saw Martínez replaced by Leonardo Lelo, adding defensive solidity on the flank.
Forest’s frustration grew late on. Neco Williams was booked for a foul at 84', Dan Ndoye was cautioned for simulation at 89', and deep into stoppage time Ibrahim Sangaré received a yellow card for argument at 90+5'. The flashpoint came at 90+4', when Elliot Anderson was sent off for argument, reducing Forest to ten men and effectively ending their hopes of a late equaliser.
Statistical deep dive
The numbers underline a paradoxical contest. Forest produced more attacking output in raw terms, registering 12 total shots to Braga’s 6 and hitting the target 5 times, while Braga failed to record a single shot on goal. Expected goals (xG) reflected that imbalance: Forest generated 1.74 xG to Braga’s 0.55, suggesting Dyche’s side created the better chances but lacked the finishing – or the luck – to convert.
Yet Braga controlled 57% of the ball, completing 486 of 561 passes at an 87% accuracy rate, compared with Forest’s 361 of 428 (84%). That territorial and passing control allowed the Portuguese side to dictate tempo and limit Forest’s sustained pressure, even if it did not translate into shots.
Discipline was another decisive factor. Forest committed 18 fouls to Braga’s 10 and collected three yellow cards plus Anderson’s late red. Braga also saw three bookings, but crucially kept 11 men on the pitch. Both goalkeepers finished with identical “goals prevented” figures of -1, but the headline was that Matz Sels did not make a single save, while Lukáš Horníček produced four, underlining how much more often Forest tested the target.
Standings & implications
The victory moves SC Braga to 16 points with a +6 goal difference (11 scored, 5 conceded), solidifying fifth place in the Europa League league-stage table and confirming their route into the play-offs for the 1/8-finals. Their home record in the competition now stands at three wins from four, with 7 goals scored and 4 conceded in Braga.
Nottingham Forest remain 16th on 11 points, with a +4 goal difference (11 for, 7 against). They still progress to the 1/16-finals, but this defeat – only their second in seven league-stage matches – halts a positive run of form and underlines the fine margins they must address if they are to advance deep into the knockout rounds.
