Fran Navarro’s extra time winner sees SC Braga edge out Levski Sofia 1-0 to progress in Europa League qualifier | OneFootball

Carlos Vicens’ team selection may have left some supporters scratching their heads (he started the match without a striker), but in the end, only the result will matter. SC Braga progressed to the next round of the Europa League after defeating Levski Sofia 1-0 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Thursday. The home side needed extra time to edge the contest with former FC Porto forward Fran Navarro coming off the bench to score the deciding goal.

The first leg of this tie was an uninspiring and cagey affair, with the two clubs settling for a 0-0 result in Sofia. Unfortunately, Thursday’s game started off in similar fashion with both sides maintaining their shape and taking few chances. In the end, it took a moment in magic from Navarro to separate these two evenly matched teams. Levski Sofia may have felt hard done, especially considering they held Braga goalless for 194 minutes, but os Minhotos managed to do just enough to progress.

Braga unable to breakdown Sofia in cagey first half

With over 16,000 supporters cheering them on, Braga started the stronger of the two sides. In the 4th minute they earned a corner to put some pressure on the visitors, which led to a header from Sikou Niakaté at the back post that came off the bar. Shortly after that, newly signed defender Gustaf Lagerbielke missed with a header of his own, firing over the goal.

Sofia pushed back and had a penalty claim of their own, which the referee swiftly brushed aside in the 12th minute.

Braga continued to huff and puff, with Roger Fernandes and Ricardo Horta looking particularly dangerous. The home side failed to do enough to breakdown a stubborn Sofia defence though. Braga did have a penalty shout of their own just before the half when Lagerbielke went to the ground while attempting to connected with a Horta free kick. The incident was looked at by VAR, but waived off by the referee.

While Braga finished the half with eight shots compared to their opponents three, Sofia did go into the break with more of the posession (55%).

Sofia defence stands firm

Both sides returned to the pitch unchanged in the second half and after 135 minutes of defensively minded football, this tie finally started to open up. The pace picked up and both sides pushed forward, with Sofia coming close in the 51st (forcing a double-save from Lukas Hornicek), and again in the 61st minute. As the game progressed, however, it felt as if the pressure was falling on Braga to break through. The home crowd grew wrestless and the 0-0 scoreline seemed to suit the Bulgarians, who were content to maintain their shape and wait for a suitable opportunity.

Vicens looked to his bench to unlock the game, with Fran Navarro, Sandro Vidigal and Víctor Gómez all brought on. Vidigal’s impact was almost instant. In the 71st minute the 17-year-old Portuguese talent worked his way down the right side. His pass was met by Mario Dorgeles who unfortuntely sailed his shot over the bar. Vidigal had another brilliant opportunity in the 90th minute when a cross found him at the back post, but he was unable to wrap his head around the ball and push it back on target.

Navarro shows class to send Braguistas home happy

Despite Braga’s aggresive and direct approach, it look as if this tie was heading to a penalty shoot out. That was until Navarro decided to remind us all what made him so special. In the 104th minute, some smart build up play down the left side saw the ball fall to Vidigal. His cross landed just behind Navarro, who pulled off an acrobatic move with his back to the goal to rocket a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

Braga held on to ensure their European dreams stayed alive, but Vicens will know that his team needs to be better if they hope to compete against some of the biggest clubs on the continent. Next up for Braga will be CFR Cluj in the third round with the first leg taking place in Romania on August 7.

SC Braga: Lukas Hornicek, Gustaf Lagerbielke (Yanis da Rocha, 103’), Paulo Oliveira (Leonardo Lelo, 90’), Sikou Niakaté (Víctor Gómez, 79’), Mario Dorgeles, Vitor Carvalho (Bright Arrey-Mbi, 90’), Gorby Baptiste, João Moutinho, Rodrigo Zalazar (Fran Navarro, 79’), Roger Fernandes (Sandro Vidigal, 70’), Ricardo Horta