Ricardo Horta penalty gives Braga a 1-0 win in Pancevo

Braga beat Zeleznicar Pancevo 1-0 in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier. Ricardo Horta scored the only goal from a second-half penalty.

Zeleznicar stayed close throughout its first European match. The Serbian side also created late chances before Braga protected the narrow advantage.

Pancevo hosts its first European club match

Around three thousand spectators filled the compact stadium in Pancevo. The evening marked Zeleznicar’s first appearance in European competition.

The home side took the first shot during the opening minute. The attempt passed wide, but it settled early nerves.

Braga replied through longer periods of possession. A poor pass from goalkeeper Marko Popovic created danger in the seventh minute.

The defence blocked Braga’s next shot and cleared the area. Zeleznicar then returned to a lower shape without losing contact.

Braga moved the ball across both wings. Zeleznicar closed central passing lanes and pushed Braga toward the wings.

The visitors controlled more possession, yet the home side remained organised. Neither team created an easy finish during the opening phase.

Zeleznicar also competed for second balls around midfield. That work slowed Braga whenever the visitors tried a direct central pass.

The crowd responded to every successful tackle. Zeleznicar’s supporters encouraged the team during Braga’s longer periods of possession.

Zeleznicar create the best first-half chance

The clearest home opening arrived after twenty-nine minutes. Lazar Jovanovic found space and struck toward Braga’s goal.

The goalkeeper pushed the attempt away and conceded a corner. Zeleznicar had turned a short attacking phase into a genuine chance.

Braga responded by returning the ball quickly through midfield. The Portuguese side still failed to score before the interval.

Popovic recovered from his earlier passing error. He dealt with crosses and stayed alert behind the defensive line.

The first half ended without a goal. Zeleznicar had limited Braga while also forcing one important save.

Supporters applauded the home players at the break. Their team had completed forty-five minutes on level terms.

Horta converts the decisive penalty

Braga increased pressure after the restart. Popovic saved a close-range attempt following a corner.

Zeleznicar answered with a shot from near the penalty area. The ball travelled over the crossbar after a quick home attack.

The decisive incident came after sixty-five minutes. Popovic fouled a Braga player after the player took a shot.

The referee awarded a penalty for the contact. Braga captain Ricardo Horta took responsibility from the spot.

Horta converted the penalty after sixty-seven minutes. Popovic dived toward the opposite side of the goal.

The goal did not open a large gap. Zeleznicar remained one successful attack away from a level score.

Late home pressure tests Braga

Zeleznicar moved farther forward during the final twenty minutes. Fresh attackers added speed from the bench.

Luka Kuljanin crossed from the right after seventy-nine minutes. The delivery passed through the area without finding a teammate.

The strongest chance followed three minutes later. Luka Kuljanin reached the ball only a few metres from goal.

Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek saved Kuljanin’s attempt. Jovan Jasper arrived a fraction late for the loose ball.

Jasper received another shooting chance near the end. His effort travelled just above the crossbar.

Braga defended the remaining stoppage time. Zeleznicar’s late pressure did not produce the equaliser.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 away victory. Horta’s penalty remained the only goal of the night.

Popovic’s saves kept Zeleznicar close after the penalty. Braga never found the second goal that would create a larger margin.

Hornicek’s late stop carried equal importance for Braga. Kuljanin’s close attempt was Zeleznicar’s best chance to equalise.

A narrow score keeps the tie close

Zeleznicar entered Europe after opening its domestic season with a victory. The team then faced an experienced Portuguese opponent.

Braga reached the Europa League semi-finals during the previous campaign. The visitors still found few clear chances in open play.

The return match takes place in Braga on 30 July. Zeleznicar travel with a one-goal deficit.

The tie winner meets Neftchi or Dinamo Minsk next. Dinamo hold a two-goal lead after winning the first match in Baku.

Horta’s penalty gives Braga the aggregate advantage. Zeleznicar’s defensive work keeps the difference at one goal.

Popovic made several saves before conceding from the spot. Hornicek then protected Braga’s lead during the late home push.

The first European night in Pancevo ended with a defeat. The performance still produced a close score before the return match.

Braga leave Serbia with the only goal and a clean sheet. Zeleznicar leave with evidence that the tie remained competitive.

The difference came from one penalty rather than sustained open-play pressure. Both goalkeepers shaped the final score with important saves.