Decisive figure delivers late as Santa Clara topple Braga | OneFootball

Gabriel Silva won it in the 83rd minute with a right-footed strike from outside the box, giving Santa Clara a 2-1 victory over Braga.

Early on, Silva was Santa Clara's sharpest outlet, drifting into pockets and twice letting fly from range before missing from close in. He kept showing for the ball and drove his team up the pitch through the first half.

After the restart he continued to link attacks and, late on, led a rapid break that created a presentable chance before producing the game's defining finish himself.

Silva's numbers underlined the influence: three attempts and three chances created, plus eight possessions won and four fouls drawn. That blend of end product and graft repeatedly tilted territory towards the hosts in key moments.

Because he mixed ball-carrying with quick releases in the final third, Braga's back line was regularly turned, and Santa Clara were able to control the decisive phases late on.

Santa Clara visit Arouca next in the league. Braga host SC Freiburg in the Europa League semi-final first leg.