Union Saint-Gilloise edged past Sporting Braga with a 2-1 win on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Roi Baudouin Stadium, bolstering their hopes of advancing to the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League. The match showcased both teams' determination as they fought for valuable points with the stakes high.
Braga struck first, taking the lead early in the match with Amine El Ouazzani scoring at the 15th-minute mark. He netted the ball from close range, assisted by Bruma, giving the away side momentum and putting pressure on the hosts. Despite the deficit, Union Saint-Gilloise began to assert themselves, trying to find their rhythm and equalize.
After considerable possession and constructing opportunities, Union finally found their equalizer. Franjo Ivanovic, who has been pivotal for the team, scored his first goal of the match at 49 minutes. His left-footed shot from the center of the box found the top right corner, assisted by Ousseynou Niang on the cross. This goal was not just significant for the team but also showcased Ivanovic's growing influence on the game.
The momentum shifted after the equalizer, with both sides displaying aggressive tactics. The tension mounted, and the match became increasingly physical, with fouls contributing to the high card count. The game got particularly heated, with both teams frequently tested by the referee's decisions.
Union's advantage grew when Ivanovic struck again, this time netting the winning goal at the 73-minute mark to put the score at 2-1. Assisted by Kevin Rodríguez, Ivanovic's left-footed effort secured his position as the standout player of the night, completing his brace. Interestingly, he became the youngest Croatian player to score multiple goals in a major European match since Dinamo Zagreb's Marko Pjaca.
Despite being regarded as the second most-carded team in the Europa League with 22 yellows and one red during the group stage, Union managed to keep their composure after the second goal, focusing on retaining possession and countering Braga's offensive efforts. The match concluded with Union successfully defending their lead against Braga's aggressive attempts to equalize.
The match was marked by various substitutions and strategic adjustments, especially on Braga's side as coach Carlos Carvalhal sought to balance his team's performance. Changes like bringing on Ismaël Gharbi and Vitor Carvalho aimed to provide fresh legs but did not yield the desired outcome as the away side struggled offensively.
Nonetheless, Braga's discipline could not withstand Union's persistence. The game ended without Braga managing to score again, making their away performance disheartening as they remained without wins away from home this tournament season.
Although Union Saint-Gilloise faces the challenge of three suspensions—including key players Kevin Mac Allister and Koki Machida—their home advantage played a key role on this occasion. They maintained their solid record at home by winning one and drawing two of their Europa League matches, distinguishing themselves as serious contenders.
Looking at the bigger picture, both teams now find themselves fighting for qualification, with Union sitting at 20th place with 8 points, and Braga trailing slightly behind with 7 points from 6 matches. This win not only strengthens Union's resolve to reach the knockout phases of the tournament but also lays significant pressure on Braga as they will have to reassess their strategy moving forward.
With the next round approaching, additional matches will determine who advances, but this clash truly emphasized the competitive nature of the Europa League. Fans witnessed high stakes, card incidents, and key players stepping up as Union Saint-Gilloise took the spoils on home turf.