{"id":14045,"date":"2026-01-23T10:02:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/?p=14045"},"modified":"2026-01-23T10:02:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:02:50","slug":"braga-1-0-nottingham-forest-own-goal-stuns-tricky-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/football-news\/braga-1-0-nottingham-forest-own-goal-stuns-tricky-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Braga 1\u20130 Nottingham Forest: Own Goal Stuns Tricky Trees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nottingham Forest\u2019s push for automatic qualification in the UEFA Europa League (UEL)<\/strong> suffered a major setback after a narrow 1\u20130 defeat to SC Braga<\/strong> in Portugal. A cruel second-half own goal from Ryan Yates<\/strong> proved decisive, leaving The Tricky Trees<\/em> outside the top eight with one group match remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Played on a wet and gloomy evening at the Est\u00e1dio Municipal<\/strong>, the match reflected the conditions\u2014scrappy, tense, and low on quality\u2014until a dramatic second half turned the game on its head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Half: Few Chances, Little Rhythm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forest began with intent as Morgan Gibbs-White<\/strong> tested Braga goalkeeper Luk\u00e1\u0161 Horn\u00ed\u010dek<\/strong> from a curling free-kick. Captain Ryan Yates<\/strong> followed with a long-range effort, but the Braga stopper remained untroubled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hosts struggled to create clear openings, yet came closest on 37 minutes<\/strong>, when Victor G\u00f3mez\u2019s<\/strong> teasing cross was met by Gabri Mart\u00ednez<\/strong>, who nodded just wide. Braga nearly snatched a lead before the break as Florian Grillitsch<\/strong> headed into the side netting in stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first half ended scoreless\u2014but with tension building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Braga
Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Second Half Drama: Penalty Miss and Costly Own Goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Braga started the second period with more urgency. Ricardo Horta<\/strong> wasted a golden chance early on after clever play from Mart\u00ednez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forest responded strongly and was awarded a penalty when Nicol\u00f2 Savona<\/strong> was sandwiched between two defenders. However, Horn\u00ed\u010dek<\/strong> once again denied Gibbs-White, diving low to his left to keep the score level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That moment proved decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just one minute later, Horta<\/strong> combined with Fran Navarro<\/strong>, and his square ball across the face of the goal was turned into the net by the unfortunate Ryan Yates<\/strong>. Braga were ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodwork, Pressure, and Late Frustration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both teams came inches from scoring again. Ola Aina<\/strong> rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, while Horta struck the post at the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forest pushed desperately for an equaliser. Dan Ndoye<\/strong> eventually found Yates with a late header, but it was deflected over. Their frustrations grew, and the night worsened when Elliott Anderson<\/strong> was shown a red card late on for dissent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their efforts, Forest could not find a way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Braga
Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What This Means for Forest and Braga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n