In a gripping encounter at Celtic Park, SC Braga emerged victorious with a decisive 2-0 win over Celtic, leaving the Scottish giants reeling after suffering their second consecutive defeat in the UEFA Europa League. This loss has left Celtic stranded with just one point from their first two matches, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike about the team’s current form.
The match began with Celtic displaying early promise, as the dynamic Sebastian Tounekti darted down the left flank, creating opportunities that had the home crowd buzzing. In the 13th minute, he cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that tested the reflexes of Braga’s goalkeeper, Lukaš Hornicek. However, as the minutes ticked by, Braga found their rhythm, and the tide began to turn in their favor.
Braga’s breakthrough came in the 20th minute through Ricardo Horta, who struck from an audacious 30 yards out. His shot swerved dramatically, leaving Celtic’s veteran keeper Kasper Schmeichel scrambling in vain to make the save. Schmeichel, despite his pedigree, was caught off guard, and the visitors took the lead, sending shockwaves through the Celtic supporters.
As the match progressed, Celtic struggled to convert their possession into meaningful chances. They believed they had equalized early in the second half when Kelechi Iheanacho intercepted a loose pass and slotted the ball home. However, a VAR review overturned the goal, ruling that Iheanacho had handled the ball in the process. This decision proved crucial as Celtic’s frustration mounted.
Despite their best efforts to break through, Celtic’s finishing remained lackluster. They had a golden opportunity to level the score when Cameron Carter-Vickers failed to capitalize on a free header from a corner, a miss that would haunt the Bhoys in the closing stages. Instead, it was Braga who extended their lead in the final minutes. A quick counter-attack saw Diego Rodrigues test Schmeichel, and after a flurry of activity in the box, Gabri Martinez capitalized on a defensive miscue, driving the ball into the net and sealing the win for Braga.
This victory marks Braga’s second straight win in the Europa League, showcasing their growing confidence and tactical prowess. In stark contrast, the defeat leaves Celtic with mounting pressure and three games without a win across all competitions. As the Hoops look to regroup, questions loom over their ability to bounce back from this disappointing start in Europe.
