Braga Stun Celtic with 2–0 Victory in Europa League Clash at Celtic Park
The Europa League night at Celtic Park was set for drama, with thousands of home fans filling the stands, waving scarves, and singing loudly in hope of another famous European night. Celtic came into the clash determined to secure valuable points at home, but the Portuguese visitors Braga had other ideas and showed from the very first whistle that they would not be intimidated by the Glasgow atmosphere.
From the start, Celtic tried to impose themselves with quick passing and energetic pressing. Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor worked tirelessly in midfield to control possession, pushing the ball wide to stretch Braga’s defense. Celtic’s striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, made intelligent runs behind the defense and almost created an early chance when he latched onto a through ball, but Braga’s goalkeeper reacted sharply to smother the danger.
Braga, however, were very well-organized. They played patiently, building from the back and waiting for Celtic to leave spaces. Their captain, Ricardo Horta, was constantly involved, linking up with the wingers and threatening on the counterattack. On the 20th minute, Braga silenced the home fans when Horta took advantage of some slack defending. After a quick interchange of passes on the edge of the box, Horta found space and fired a precise low shot into the bottom corner, beating Celtic’s goalkeeper with ease. The visitors celebrated passionately, knowing how valuable an early away goal would be.
Celtic responded bravely. They increased the tempo, driving forward in waves of attack. The fans roared when Iheanacho seemed to score a vital equaliser before halftime—rising high to meet a cross and heading the ball into the net. However, the celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened. The referee was called to the monitor and controversially ruled that Iheanacho had used his arm instead of his head. Celtic’s players protested, the fans booed loudly, and Brendan Rodgers looked furious on the sidelines, but the goal was chalked off. That decision deflated Celtic and gave Braga even more confidence.
In the second half, Celtic came out again with urgency. Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma pushed hard on the wings, whipping in crosses and trying to stretch Braga’s backline. There were several half-chances: a curling shot that went just wide, and another effort that was blocked heroically by Braga’s defenders. The home crowd tried to lift their team, but Braga continued to frustrate them with clever defending and quick counterattacks.
As the clock ticked towards the final ten minutes, Celtic pushed bodies forward in search of the equaliser, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Braga punished them ruthlessly. In the 85th minute, substitute Gabri Martínez took advantage of a defensive lapse. Celtic lost the ball in midfield, and Braga immediately broke forward. Martínez received a pass on the edge of the box, took a touch, and struck powerfully past the keeper to make it 2–0. It was a killer blow.
The final minutes saw Celtic desperate, throwing everything forward, but Braga stood firm and calmly saw out the match. When the referee blew the whistle, the Portuguese side celebrated an impressive away win, while Celtic were left frustrated and heartbroken, especially by the disallowed goal that could have changed the game.
Do you think Braga will win Celtic again in there nextmatch?
