UEFA Europa League League Stage - 2
Celtic 0 - 2 FT SC Braga
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Yanis da Rocha 13'
R. Horta (Gorby) 20'
HT
46' ↓ C. Donovan ↑M. Saracchi
↓ Y. da Rocha ↑V. Gomez 46'
↓ F. Grillitsch ↑J. Moutinho 65'
67' ↓ P. Bernardo ↑A. Engels
67' ↓ B. Nygren ↑R. Hatate
↓ R. Horta ↑R. Zalazar 71'
↓ P. Victor ↑D. Rodrigues 71'
77' ↓ D. Maeda ↑J. Forrest
81' Marcelo Saracchi
81' ↓ K. Tierney ↑D. Murray
↓ A. El Ouazzani ↑G. Martinez 82'
G. Martinez 85'
89' Liam Scales
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celtic
Goalkeepers
K. Schmeichel 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
C. Donovan 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
C. Carter-Vickers 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
64%
Duel Win %
L. Scales 
MAGNET
101
Activity
101
Activity
91
Passes
10
Duels
K. Tierney
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
86%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
B. Nygren 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
16%
Pass Acc
C. McGregor
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
72
Passes
5
Duels
P. Bernardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Forwards
D. Maeda
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
K. Iheanacho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Tounekti
MAGNET
55
Activity
55
Activity
33
Passes
22
Duels
BENCH
V. Sinisalo 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Trusty
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Saracchi
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
D. Murray
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Ralston
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. McCowan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Engels
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Hatate
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Forrest
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Balikwisha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yang Hyun-Jun
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Kenny
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
SC Braga
Goalkeepers
L. Hornicek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
G. Lagerbielke 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Vitor Carvalho
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
B. Arrey-Mbi
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Y. da Rocha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Gorby 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
F. Grillitsch
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
L. Lelo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
R. Horta 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
P. Victor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
A. El Ouazzani
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
BENCH
T. Sa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Bellaarouch
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
V. Gomez
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
14%
Pass Acc
S. Niakate
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Moutinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Zalazar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Marques
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Rodrigues
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Navarro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Aragao
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Martinez 
CLUTCH HERO
85
Goal Time
85
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.7
Rating
S. Vidigal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Braga's Clinical Edge Silences Celtic Park in Tactical Masterclass
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. Despite controlling the ball, Celtic were undone by SC Braga's ruthless efficiency and a crushing VAR intervention that swung the momentum entirely.
Early Shock at Celtic Park
Celtic edged possession early on, trying to dictate the tempo in front of their raucous home support. But the visitors did not need the ball to dictate the game. The Stakes were evident as the Portuguese side looked to cement their top-eight status in the league phase. In the 20th minute, Gorby unlocked the defence, sliding a perfect ball to R. Horta, who buried it with precision. A classic smash-and-grab start. The Scottish hosts pressed high, winning a succession of corners to mount intense set-piece pressure, but the away side absorbed the blows. The Intensity bubbled as the hosts desperately searched for a response before the break, racking up the pass count but lacking that final killer instinct in the penalty area.
The VAR Heartbreak
The second half brought a renewed surge from the hosts, desperate to shift the Balance of the tie. It seemed they had finally cracked the code in the 54th minute when Kelechi Iheanacho found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into raptures. But celebrations were abruptly cut short. A lengthy VAR review ruled the goal out, completely deflating the stadium's energy. This was the definitive turning point. Rather than riding a wave of momentum, Celtic had the wind knocked out of them. SC Braga capitalized on this psychological blow, anchoring their defence around the colossal Bright Arrey-Mbi, who put in an outstanding shift to repel wave after wave of desperate Scottish attacks.
The Killer Blow
As the clock ticked down, Celtic committed bodies forward, leaving gaping holes at the back. The Portuguese outfit recognized the opportunity for a counter-punch. Enter G. Martinez. Brought on in the 82nd minute to stretch the tired legs of the home defence, the super-sub needed just three minutes to make his mark. His 85th-minute strike was the final nail in the coffin, securing a 2-0 victory. This clinical away performance cements SC Braga comfortably in the automatic round-of-16 spots, trailing the leaders by just four points. Meanwhile, Celtic languish in 21st, needing a serious turnaround to secure their playoff spot. They dominated possession, but in Europe, efficiency is everything.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
Kelechi Iheanacho thought he had equalised for Celtic in the 54th minute, but VAR cancelled the goal, crushing the home team's momentum and silencing Celtic Park.
How did substitute Gabriel Martínez change the game?
Coming off the bench in the 82nd minute, Gabriel Martínez provided the ultimate killer blow by scoring just three minutes later to seal Braga's 2-0 away victory.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Celtic's Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance Against High-Flying Braga
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. A pivotal European night where Celtic's chaotic rhythm meets Braga's defensive solidity in the race for a top-24 playoff spot.
The Setup
On October 02, 2025, Celtic welcome SC Braga to Celtic Park needing a major result to secure their progression path. Sitting 21st in the UEFA Europa League table with 11 points, the Scottish giants are desperately clinging to the playoff line. Their recent Form is wildly unpredictable, leaking goals while managing to stay competitive on the continent. Under the lights in Glasgow, the atmosphere will demand front-foot football, but reckless aggression could spell disaster against a disciplined opponent. In stark contrast, SC Braga occupy the coveted 6th spot, eyeing direct top-eight qualification to the last 16. The Portuguese outfit boasts an impressive Stars rating bolstered by dangerous attacking outlets like Ricardo Horta. With a modest Stakes metric reflecting the marathon nature of this league stage, the pressure rests heavily on the home side. Braga's reputation as away specialists makes them formidable travelers, well-equipped to exploit any spaces left by a desperate host.
Key Battle
Celtic's aggressive front line must unlock a resolute Portuguese defence to keep their continental dreams alive. The hosts thrive on wide overloads and relentless energy in front of their home crowd. However, Braga's highly organized backline will look to absorb the pressure and strike on the counter. The true test lies in whether the Scottish side can maintain tactical Balance during transitions without leaving massive gaps behind. If the home midfield loses discipline, the away side has the quality to dictate the tempo and punish errors ruthlessly.
Our Prediction
Braga's defensive structure will frustrate the home crowd early on. Celtic will push forward relentlessly as the game wears on, but the visitors' clinical edge on the break should secure a narrow 1-2 victory, cementing their spot in the upper echelons of the standings.