SC Freiburg defeated SC Braga 3-1 in the UEFA Europa League at Europa-Park-Stadion, with Lukas Kübler scoring twice to lead the hosts to a commanding victory despite playing against ten men for most of the match.
Freiburg entered this Europa League clash looking to build momentum after a mixed start to their campaign. Braga arrived as the group's form team, having won both their opening matches without conceding. The Portuguese side's perfect record made them favorites on paper, but the hosts would prove difficult to break down in front of their home crowd.
The match turned dramatically in Braga's favor within six minutes when Matthias Dorgeles received a straight red card. The early dismissal forced the visitors into damage control mode immediately. Despite the disadvantage, Braga remained compact and organized in their defensive shape.
Freiburg made their numerical advantage count in the 19th minute. Lukas Kübler found space on the right flank and fired a precise shot past the Braga goalkeeper. The goal gave the hosts the lead they deserved after dominating possession in the opening stages.
Kübler struck again before halftime. In the 41st minute, Johan Manzambi added a second goal for Freiburg, extending their advantage to 2-0. The home side controlled the tempo and territory, enjoying 67 percent possession while Braga struggled with their reduced numbers.
The second half saw Freiburg continue their dominance. Braga's ten-man defense held firm for much of the period, but the pressure eventually told. In the 72nd minute, Kübler completed his double with another clinical finish, putting the match beyond doubt at 3-0.
Braga pulled one back in the 79th minute when Pau Víctor converted a chance to make it 3-1. The goal provided some consolation for the Portuguese club but came too late to threaten the outcome. Freiburg managed the closing stages comfortably.
The statistics reflected Freiburg's dominance throughout. The hosts registered 19 total shots with 8 on target, while Braga managed just 12 shots with 4 on target. Freiburg's expected goals (xG) of 1.71 compared favorably to Braga's 1.41, showing the quality of their attacking play.
Kübler's performance earned him a match rating of 8.9, the highest on the pitch. He completed both his shots on target and controlled the game from his position. Manzambi and Ginter also impressed for the hosts with solid contributions throughout.
The victory moves Freiburg to four points from two matches with one win and one draw. Braga remains on six points but their unbeaten record is now blemished. The result significantly impacts the group dynamics heading into the next round of fixtures.
