Braga 2-1 Freiburg, UEFA Europa League Semi-Final: Mario Dorgeles Stoppage-Time Strike Hands Arsenalistas Win

Braga sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Freiburg in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League 2025-26 semi-final at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Braga took the lead in the eighth minute, when Demir Ege Tiknaz converted from Victor Gomez's through ball. Freiburg responded quickly, with Vincenzo Grifo finishing a counter-attack after being teed up by Jan-Niklas Beste. The hosts had the chance to go ahead before half-time, but Noah Atubolu saved a penalty from Ricardo Zalazar to keep the scores level. After a tense second half in which both sides had decent chances to go ahead, the Arsenalistas struck late when Mario Dorgeles scored from a rebound in the 92nd minute to give the Portuguese side a first-leg victory.

Updated on: 1 May 2026 12:41 pm

Published at: 1 May 2026 12:41 pm

Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Mario Dorgeles

Braga's Mario Dorgeles, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Jan-Niklas Beste

Freiburg's Jan-Niklas Beste reacts after Braga's Mario Dorgeles scored his side's second goal during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga's Mario Dorgeles scores his side's second goal during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Carlos Vicens

Braga's head coach Carlos Vicens walks by the touchline during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Igor Matanovic

Freiburg's Igor Matanovic jumps for the ball with Braga's Paulo Oliveira during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Jordy Makengo

Freiburg's Jordy Makengo crosses the ball past Braga's Demir Ege Tıknaz, left, during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-

Braga, in red, and Freiburg players jump for the ball during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Freiburg's Igor Matanovic reacts after a missed chance to score during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Demir Ege Tıknaz

Braga's Demir Ege Tıknaz, left, vies for the ball with Freiburg's Jordy Makengo during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira

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Braga Vs Freiburg Europa League Semi-Final-Noah Atubolu

Freiburg players celebrate after Freiburg's goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, center, stopped a penalty shot during the Europa League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between SC Braga and Freiburg in Braga, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Miguel Angelo Pereira