Braga beat Casa Pia 1-0 in Rio Maior to inch closer to securing fourth position in Liga Portugal | OneFootball

Braga are a step closer to finishing fourth in Liga Portugal following a 1-0 victory over Casa Pia.

The Warriors bossed the ball in Rio Maior but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested. The breakthrough came in the 37th minute.

Ricardo Horta’s corner was headed back into the danger area by Demir Tiknaz, Pau Victor doing well to send a looping header over Patrick Sequeira who was caught out.

Casa Pia’s first shot came in added time, Gaizka Larrazabal getting the ball to Clau Mendes who couldn't connect cleanly. The hosts ended the first half with 25% possession.

Álvaro Pacheco’s side improved in the second half and went close to equalising in the 70th minute. Larrazabal unleashed a left footed volley that forced a fine save from Lukas Hornicek.

Rafael Brito provided Pedro Rosas with a chance but he couldn’t steer it on target, the Geese defeated at home for the first time under Pacheco.

Casa Pia remain in the relegation play-off position, five points above Tondela and narrowly behind Estrela da Amadora, Nacional and Santa Clara.

It wasn’t pretty but Braga did enough to take all three points. The sooner they secure fourth spot, the more focus can be placed on Freiburg in the Europa League semi-finals.

Gabri Martinez was carried off the pitch in the second half but Rodrigo Zalazar came off the bench, his first appearance in just over a month.