Braga held to draw but clinch away goal in their Europa League qualifier

Braga come away from Ukraine with a frsutrating draw against Zorya having dominated for large spells, but crucially picked up an away goal for their troubles.

Braga, who were the seeded side going into the match, were the favourites to win the clash despite being the away side, and showed their dominance over their opponents for large spells.

Indeed, the Portuguese outfit saw the majority of the ball in the first half but, like Benfica the day before, struggled to create a wealth of clear-cut chances, and for all their possession and corners could not find the back of the net.

Braga then started the first half in a sloppy manner, giving the ball away cheaply a couple of times and finding themselves on the back foot in the opening periods, but on the 58th minute came so close to scoring courtesy of Ricardo Horta, whose shot cannoned off the crossbar.

However, ten minutes after hitting the woodwork, Horta then put Braga in front, hitting his powerful shot sweetly passed the outstretched hand of the Zorya goalkeeper to grab a crucial away goal for Braga, who looked set to go on and take an excellent away victory back to Portugal with them.

However, their lead did not last long and, just a few minutes later, on 71 minutes, Karavaev volleyed a misplaced headed clearance into the roof of the net to clinch the equaliser for the Ukrainians in spectacular fashion.

Braga will be frustrated but not disheartened to have surrendered victory having looked comfortable throughout the game, with the away goal meaning that they go into the home leg with something to hold onto and will fancy their chances to finish the job off.