The Women’s Champions League dream ended too soon for Sp. Braga on Saturday. A single moment of misfortune in Milan sealed their fate. The Portuguese “warriors” fell to Norwegian side Brann, exiting the competition’s second qualifying round final. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially given how the game played out.
The match had a balanced feel, a true give-and-take between both teams. Brann often relied on their physical strength to gain an advantage. Yet, just as Braga seemed to find their rhythm, disaster struck. The Portuguese team was pushing hard, applying intense high pressure across the field. They didn’t create many clear scoring chances during this spell. Still, Marwin Bolz’s squad had the Norwegians on the back foot, preventing them from building attacks from defense.
Then, in the 68th minute, Brann managed to break through Braga’s pressure. Davidson sprinted down the right wing and sent a cross into the box. Braga’s Icelandic center-back, Gudrún Arnardóttir, tried to intercept. Her touch, however, sent the ball past her own goalkeeper, PatrÃcia Morais. It was an own goal, and it proved to be the only goal of the game, deciding the final score.
This heartbreaking defeat means Braga will not advance to the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League. Sporting will join the Champions League at that later stage. For Braga, their European journey will now continue in the Europa Cup. This new competition is similar to the men’s Europa League and is being played for the first time this year. Meanwhile, Benfica, the five-time national champions, already has a secured spot in the Champions League group stage.