Ricardo Horta penalty gets Braga off to winning start in 2026/27 in Serbia | OneFootball

Ricardo Horta started his 11th consecutive season at Braga with yet another decisive contribution

Zeleznicar Pancevo 0-1 Braga

Braga were the first Portuguese team in action in the new season, in Serbia tonight. The northerners kicked off their UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the competition against Zeleznicar Pancevo.

A Ricardo Horta penalty midway through the second half proved the difference in a match of few chances.

Artificial pitch hinders Braga

The first half was an authentic snoozefest, with neither goalkeeper called into action. Braga were in control for the most part, but found it difficult to adapt to the synthetic pitch.

Braga began the second half in brighter fashion, the introduction of new signing Gabriel Silva injecting some much-needed pace into the visitors’ attacking game.

Diego Rodrigues forced Zeleznicar goalkeeper Zoran Popovic into a sharp block with his chest from a corner.

The Portuguese team’s ascendancy was rewarded in the 64th minute when Popovic crashed into Victor Gómez for an obvious penalty. Captain Ricardo Horta made no mistake from the spot.

Substitute Kuljanin panics Braga’s defence

The game seemed to be winding down to a straightforward narrow win for Braga, but late Zeleznicar substitute Aleksa Kuljanin had other ideas.

Some bright wing play by the forward set up a chance for fellow substitute David Ankeye, who just failed to reach the ball for what would have been an easy tap-in.

Moments later Gabriel Silva almost scored an own goal as the Serbians sensed they could find an equaliser.

Hornicek to the rescue

And, one minute later, only a sensational diving save from Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek denied Kuljanin, whose wicked long-range swerving shot seemed destined for the back of the net.

Braga held on for the win and will be big favourites to finish the job and advance to the third qualifying round in the second leg at the Quarry next week.