Freiburg 3-1 Braga - Early red card in Germany where the Warriors exit the Europa League | OneFootball

Braga’s Europa League campaign has ended in the semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat in Freiburg. Hopes were high following a 2-1 first leg victory at the Quarry, but it was an uphill battle in the Black Forest due to an early dismissal.

Igor Matanovic did well to turn and release Jan-Niklas Beste who charged towards the box, Mario Dorgeles barging into the winger which saw referee Davide Massa produce a straight red card in the 6th minute.

The German club piled on the pressure and opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Braga failed to clear Vincenzo Grifo's cross which was pounced on by Lukas Kübler, he lost control but managed to deflect Jean-Baptiste Gorby’s clearance off the inside of the post and over the line.

Johan Manzambi shot straight at Lukas Hornicek but he would make no mistake in the 41st minute. Given time and space outside the area, the 20-year-old curled a sweet strike into the net that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Braga went close to squaring the tie in added time, Pau Victor picking out Víctor Gómez who went around Noah Atubolu and hit the post. The rebound fell to Rodrigo Zalazar who couldn't take advantage.

The half-time whistle came at a bad time for the visitors as Freiburg started the second half on fire. Grifo hit the post, Matthias Ginter went close, Manzambi forced a fine save from Hornicek and Grifo curled an effort wide.

Braga weathered the storm and had another opportunity to score. Victor was the architect once again, sending Gorby through where the midfielder hit a tame effort straight at Atubolu.

Manzambi went close again as Carlos Vicens went to his bench for the first time, bringing on Gabriel Moscardo and Fran Navarro for Vitor Carvalho and Zalazar.

João Moutinho’s shot was deflected narrowly wide by Nicolas Hofler and Beste tested Hornicek at the other end. The goalkeeper then kept his side in the tie with two fantastic saves from a corner, denying Grifo and Ginter.

Braga’s resistance was eventually broken in the 72nd minute. It was a routine goal, Grifo delivering a free kick into the box where Kübler headed home.

The Warriors had nothing to lose and threw players forward, Moscardo’s shot deflected over the bar before Demir Ege Tiknaz made way for Gabri Martínez. Braga got a lifeline in the 79th minute when they reduced the deficit.

Gomez headed Moutinho’s free kick to the back post, Victor perfectly positioned to score from close range. It was a grandstand finish in Freiburg, Atubolu tipping efforts from Gorby and Martínez over the bar as Freiburg held on to reach the final.

Bad luck for Braga

It was always going to be a tough task in Freiburg following Mario Dorgeles’ sixth minute dismissal. Braga did themselves proud however, Gómez hitting the post on the stroke of half-time and Pau Víctor’s late goal keeping the tie alive.

Lukas Hornicek, Víctor Gómez, João Moutinho and Víctor Gómez produced strong performances in Germany where Ricardo Horta wasn’t risked off the bench.

Carlos Vicens was proud of his side in Germany: “I’m proud of our season. I think we were the team that deserved to be in the final, but sometimes not everything goes as we want and you have to accept it. I congratulate Freiburg.

“I cannot be prouder of the effort we put into these two games. The team never used the difficulties we’ve had in the last few weeks as excuses. With the players we had we fought for our goal. We didn’t do it, but I believe we will look back on this season as a historical and exemplary one, above all in the Europa League.

“At the end of the day, we can all fall down at times, it’s part of life. What makes the difference is what you do when you fall and this team has shown it picks itself up in difficult moments and it will do the same now. It’s another experience we have taken on board, which we have to learn from so that in the future, when the luck is on our side, we will achieve our objectives.”

The game had plenty of similarities to Braga’s 2022/23 Europa League quarter-final exit against Rangers. Leading 1-0 going into the second leg at Ibrox, Vítor Tormena was sent off in the first half as the Warriors held on before going down in extra time.

History for Freiburg

Freiburg took their chances and made history by reaching a first European final. There are few if any clubs that deserve it more.

Much of their modern identity was built by Christian Streich who managed the club from 2011 to 2024. He regularly addressed social issues while in charge, using press conferences to discuss politics, commercialism and the state of humanity.

It was fitting that Streich was in the stands to witness the historic moment for the Black Forest club, now managed by his protégé Julian Schuster.

In a world where many clubs and international teams are hijacked by glory hunter and entitled ‘supporters’, Freiburg continue to operate on a community level that should be the benchmark.