Braga vs Nottingham Forest was a clash between two sides looking to cement their places in the top eight of the UEFA Europa League.
With the Portuguese heavens opening and creating a very wet playing surface, the game would be one of very fine margins as we entered the penultimate round of fixtures in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.
SC Braga vs Nottingham Forest 1-0: Disaster For Forest As Ryan Yates Own Goal Hands Braga A Simple Win
A game between two contenders vying for a place in the UEFA Europa League knockout stages, Braga vs Nottingham Forest, had a very slow start.
The Portuguese hosts looked happy to settle for a draw, whilst Forest didn’t look to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Morgan Gibbs-White had the first chance of the game as he was able to send his free-kick goalwards, but a good save by Braga’s Lukas Hornicek denied Forest’s number 10 a wonderful goal.
That was the only shot on target in the first half as Braga’s best chance came from a cross into the Forest box, which Gabri Martinez headed off target.
Sean Dyche’s men looked devoid of confidence, especially Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye, as both had chances to drive at the Braga defence and cause problems, but ultimately, just weren’t at their best in the first 45 minutes.
Braga started the second half brightly as Martinez made his way past the slow returning Nicolo Savona before finding Ricardo Horta in the box.
The Braga captain was able to get onto the end of the cross, but his effort was off target as the Portuguese side looked to take advantage of Forest’s poor start.
Martinez went from almost creating a goal to almost giving one away as the forward bundled James McAtee over in the penalty box as referee Igor Pajač pointed to the spot.
Gibbs-White stepped up to take the spot kick, but his poor penalty was saved by Hornicek as Braga went up the other end and scored via a Ryan Yates own goal.
Forest looked to finally step out of first gear as Ola Aina let fly from range, with the full-back’s effort crashing off the crossbar and going out of play.
Braga had a woodwork hit of their own as they were able to get into the Forest box with ease with substitute Pau Victor’s shot cannoning off the post.
Forest brought on fresh legs in Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nicolas Dominguez, Nico Williams, Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson to turn the tide and get the Tricky Trees fighting.
As the Reds were pushing for an equaliser, substitute Anderson was clearly frustrated with how proceedings were going and visibly said something to the referee, which saw the England international handed a straight red card.
Forest ended the game with 10 men and a goal down as they lost to Braga, who didn’t even have a shot on target in the game.
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No Confidence, No Attacking Intent And A Poor Performance
In the UEFA Europa League league phase, Forest have shown glimpses of good attacking play with Igor Jesus as one of the top goalscorers in the competition.
Without a real number nine up top, it was up to Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White to take the role onto their shoulders.
Nottingham Forest’s number 10 was very much trying to be a creative forward as he would often drop deep to pick up the ball and drive his side forward.
With Ndoye, however, the Swiss international looked lost at times and like a player who is lacking the needed confidence in front of goal.
The winger would utilise his pace and power when put out wide on the flank, but up top, Ndoye couldn’t stick the ball in the net.
He had one chance in the first half that was put on a plate for him in the penalty area; however, Ndoye, instead of swinging a boot at it, let the ball go across him and out of the danger area.
Fortunately for Forest, are closing in on the loan signature of Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca, who would be the perfect targetman that the Tricky Trees need.
The six-foot-seven forward has only netted once for the Italian champions this season, but has had limited gametime in Naples and will look to recapture his form in the Premier League.
No Shots On Target, No Problem For Braga
In the Braga vs Nottingham Forest game, the Portuguese hosts looked very content to keep possession of the ball without progressing too far forward.
With qualification to the knockout stages pretty much guaranteed, Braga only needed a point from the game and looked like they were settling for that circumstance.
The hosts rarely made flurries into the Forest box, didn’t utilise their attacking strengths in Horta and Martinez and were looking to keep it solid and compact at the back.
The attacking duo did show off their best attributes in taking players on and drawing fouls from the Forest backline.
Martinez did, however, give away quite a stupid penalty, which Gibbs-White was unable to convert.
This is the third consecutive game in the UEFA Europa League in which Braga scored once, but what will amaze everyone is that they managed to get a win without taking a shot on target in 90 minutes.
With star forward Rodrigo Zalazar out due to suspension, Braga felt like there was no need to be attacking with Forest chasing the scoreline
However, for what may be the first time in European competition, a team has won without taking a shot on target, and in turn, earned Braga’s spot in the knockout stages.
Forest will now have a tough task of facing unbeaten Ferencvaros at home in a last-ditch attempt to qualify for the knockout stages.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO/SportPix UK
Recording Date: 22.01.2026
