SC Braga v Nottingham Forest LIVE - Braga lead thanks to Ryan Yates own goal, moments after Gibbs-White misses penalty

A sloppy second half own goal, conceded moments after missing a penalty up the other end, was enough to see Nottingham Forest slip to a second defeat of their Europa League campaign. A red card in injury time for Elliot Anderson added insult to injury for Sean Dyche’s side, on a night that had offered so much potential.

A lacklustre first half took place under torrential rain in a half empty Estadio Municipal. 

The closest either side came to scoring was a technically tidy free kick won and taken by Morgan Gibbs-White ten minutes in. His effort, over the wall and towards the top left of the goal, was met by a spectacular diving save from Braga’s keeper Horniceck.
Braga should have done better themselves, eight minutes shy of half time. Gabri Martinez was caught by surprise when Victor Gomez whipped a cross in towards him from the right, and was unable to point his free header goalwards. With Forest’s height advantage, "the last thing I thought I'd say was Forest conceding to a header," said TNT Sports’ pundit in Portugal, Steve McManaman.

The home side came out for the second 45 with more energy, seemingly less willing to settle for a point than in the opening period. Nevertheless it was Forest who conjured up the first real chance to take the lead, five minutes after the restart. Morgan Gibbs-White whipped a ball in from the left towards James McAtee, and while the midfielder was unlikely to get anything on it, a tangle of legs was enough to earn Forest a penalty and Gabri Martinez a booking.

The spot kick, by Gibbs-White, was poor. It was low and to the keeper’s left, but not far enough into the corner. Hornicek got a palm to it and with his defence was able to scramble it behind.

Braga immediately went on the attack, fumbling the ball upfield through a hapless Forest defence. A scrappy low cross was met by the outstretched toe of captain Ryan Yates, sending it into his own goal. From the brink of leading to losing within 54 seconds.
Despite changing the entire left-hand line-up, and Callum Hudson-Adoi offering some inspiration, Forest failed to find their feet. As the minutes counted down, desperation descended. A moment of late madness saw Elliot Anderson receive a straight red card for dissent.

Despite failing to manage a shot on target all night, the result ensures Braga all-but secure qualification for the next phase of the competition while Forest slip to 15th place. To secure a spot in the top eight and avoid the playoffs, Forest must beat Ferencvaros next week while hoping other results go their way.

Mentioning just for the record. What a woeful demonstration all-round by Sean Dyche's side. Didn't Man City say they would refund their traveling fans last night? Something to consider.

And the reaction from the orest fans is what you'd expect.

All he can do, and Braga need do no more.

He went up for a high ball, perhaps leading with his elbow, otherwise I have no idea what he's been dispatched for. Speculation among our commentary team that it was for dissent, having said something to the referee.

Well they might.

Can Forest find something?

The referee runs over to book him for a dive. He has no doubt, and the replay shows there was no contact whatsoever. Steve McManaman thinks it's harsh. I'm fine with it.

Replaced by Leonardo Lelo.

For a clattering of Gabri Martinez on the right.

Pinball time in the Braga box. Yates gets the last touch with his head, Gustaf Lagerbielke deflecting it behind. Gibbs-White was appealing for handball, but it was a good save from Hornicek that deflected onto the defender' thigh, rather than his arm.

It was otherwise a lovely move from Forest, including a delightful give and go by Hudson-Odoi, but they were never going to find the chance inside the box, because Braga had so many men back.

Hornicek stretches to save it. They're very capable, Forest, which is why they should be doing better!