Sporting Braga vs Panathinaikos: resultado del 23 de agosto, goles, resumen y próxima fecha

Sporting Braga beat Panathinaikos 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-offs tie at Estádio Municipal de Braga on Wednesday.

Abel Ruiz and Álvaro Djaló netted as Artur Jorge's side clinched victory, with Daniel Mancini on target for the visitors.

Ruiz gave Sporting Braga the lead in the 51st minute. The striker finished to the lower left corner after combining with attacking midfielder Ricardo Horta - the first of two assists. Braga doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute through Djaló, who saw his effort hit the woodwork before nestling in the net, Horta again with the assist.

Mancini then pulled one back for Panathinaikos after 95 minutes, with attacker Fotis Ioannidis this time the provider.

Profligacy in front of goal impacted both sides in the match, Vitor Carvalho, Bruma, Ruiz, and Rony Lopes spurning big chances for Braga, Panathinaikos rueing a lack of composure from Andraz Sporar.

Highlights

WHAT IT MEANS:

Boasting a one-goal lead after the opening leg of their Champions League play-offs tie, Sporting Braga are on the road to face Panathinaikos for the second leg on 29 August.

IN THE GOALS:

Ruiz, Djaló, and Mancini rank joint first early in the 2023/2024 Champions League season with zero goal.

INJURY CONCERN:

Braga had to make an enforced change in the 35th minute as Al Musrati was taken off.

VAR IN ACTION:

The game was goalless when Sporting Braga had a Bruma penalty overturned in the 18th minute.