60 decisive seconds and Hornicek heroics give Braga 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Braga continued their brilliant Europa League campaign by overcoming Premier League side Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the Quarry tonight to move up to fifth place in the standings with five victories, one draw and one defeat in their seven matches.

Braga players celebrate after taking the lead against Nottingham Forest. (Photo: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)

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A forgettable first half was notable for two moments only. In the 10th minute Forest’s star man Morgan Gibbs-White struck a direct free kick towards goal.

Braga’s impressive Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek – who arguably saved his manager’s job on the weekend with a decisive penalty save to avert defeat against Tondela – was equal to it, producing a flying save.

Shortly before half time Gabri Martínez made a clever run to escape his marker and headed Victor Gómez’s delicious cross inches past the post with Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels beaten.

Those were the only two near things to a goal in a slow-paced and uninspiring first half. Both teams came out more energised after the break, though, as the match caught alight.

Match comes alive in second half

Gabri Martínez embarked on an audacious run forward, the ball falling to Ricardo Horta but the Braga captain shot over the bar.

Gabri continued at the centre of the action, the Spaniard adjudged to have pushed over James McAtee in the box in the 50th minute giving the English team a golden chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Gibbs-White once again was denied by the Braga number one, who dived low to his left to make an outstanding stop, pushing the ball away at full stretch.

Braga’s fans roared their approval and things would soon get even better. From the resulting corner the hosts swept to the other end of the pitch, Ricardo Horta orchestrating some lovely combination play before crossing low into the six-yard box where the unfortunate Ryan Yates knocked the ball into his own net.

Forest hit back, the ever-dangerous Gibbs-White firing an inviting chance over and Ola Aina smashing the bar with a spectacular long-range effort.

Double substitution decisive for Braga

Braga coach Carlos Vicens was furious at some loose turnovers from his players and he immediately brought on João Moutinho and Pau Victor for Florian Grillitsch and Fran Navarro respectively. The changes had the desired effect with Braga exerting greater control on the match.

The hosts almost doubled their lead when a neat move created a chance for Pau Victor, the Spanish striker’s shot thudding against the inside of the post and away.

Sean Dyche emptied his bench, bringing on the big guns in the shape of Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Neco Williams and Nicolás Domínguez.

Forest were desperately close to equalising in the 83rd minute but Hornicek was again in evidence, making a double-save with Victor Goméz deflecting a follow-up header by Yates over the bar.

Anderson sees red

The Tricky Trees were getting increasingly frustrated and Elliot Anderson was shown a straight red card for some ill-advised words directed towards the referee.

The Portuguese side saw out the remaining minutes without undue alarm and are in a strong position qualify directly for the round of sixteen having accumulated 16 points in the league phase of the competition.

Braga’s last match is away at Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles next week, where a point will all but guarantee avoiding a playoff, and even a loss may not be enough for Braga to fall out of the top eight positions, depending on other results.