Europa League | Braga 1-0 Lazio: Painless defeat keeps Aquile top

BRAGA, PORTUGAL – JANUARY 30: Valentin Castellanos of Lazio attempts an overhead kick during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between SC Braga and S.S. Lazio at Estadio Municipal de Braga on January 30, 2025 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Lazio suffered an unlucky and ultimately irrelevant defeat to SC Braga, as they still topped the Europa League table in this opening phase.

The Aquile were the only side already guaranteed a place in the Round of 16 going into the final matchday, sitting top of the table after six wins and a draw. However, Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolò Rovella were suspended, while Matteo Guendouzi had flu, plus Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Nuno Tavares and Matias Vecino were injured, so Mario Gila was used as a makeshift midfielder. Braga had Bruma and Vitor Carvalho banned, with Rodrigo Zalazar not fully fit.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

The hosts needed a victory to get into the play-offs and took the early lead when Victor Gomez rolled across from the right for Ricardo Horta to sweep first-time into the far bottom corner from 12 yards.

Loum Tchaouna’s shot was blocked off in the box by a desperate Paulo Oliveira, then Pedro’s free kick shaved a coat of paint off the upright.

Braga were forced into a change on 27 minutes, losing Sikou Niakaté to a muscular issue.

Pedro thought he had scored on 36 minutes, but was caught offside before lobbing the on-rushing goalkeeper.

After the restart, Pedro was again involved, controlling a roll across from the left, riding one tackle and then crashing into Bright Arrey-Mbi.

Gustav Isaksen came off the bench and almost scored with his first touch, a half-volley on a bouncing ball forcing a flying save to tip it out from under the crossbar.

Isaksen’s cross-shot only skimmed the head of Castellanos and was flapped away by Lukas Hornicek, then his corner found a Tijjani Noslin header to force a fantastic reaction save.

Hornicek continued to deny Lazio a deserved equaliser, fingertipping the Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scorcher over the bar from distance.

It could easily have been 2-0 at the 87^th minute when Luca Pellegrini kept Ricardo Horta onside, but Christos Mandas stood his ground and refused to be beaten by the lob.

Braga also had the ball in the net deep into stoppages on the counter-attack, but only after Gabri Martinez had wandered offside.

Braga 1-0 Lazio

Ricardo Horta 6 (B)

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