Hungarian champions Ferencváros continued their impressive UEFA Europa League run with a 2-0 home victory over Portuguese side SC Braga at the Groupama Arena in Budapest on Thursday, 12 March.
The win puts Fradi in a strong position for a spot in the quarter-finals of Europe’s secondary club competition.
Braga opted for an all-purple kit, unusual for an away team, as a nod to Újpest FC, Ferencváros’s local rivals, who traditionally wear purple. Fradi, meanwhile, wore a special edition kit commemorating Hungary’s national holiday on 15 March.
The home side started the match on the front foot, pressing high and often winning possession in Braga’s half. Braga goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček appeared content to play conservatively, using time-wasting tactics early on.
Despite this, Braga struck first on two occasions, forcing Fradi’s goalkeeper Dávid Gróf—selected over club legend Dénes Dibusz, recently back from injury—to make crucial saves.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute by Gavriel Kanichowsky, replicating his heroics from the previous Europa League game against Ludogorets. Raemaekers won possession near midfield and passed to Lenny Joseph, who set up Kanichowsky at the edge of the box.
The Israeli midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the near bottom corner.
Fradi doubled their lead in the 68th minute. Makreckis surged down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the box, where Joseph finished from close range to make it 2-0.
Braga struggled to respond, producing only a couple of late corners without creating clear chances.
The second leg will take place next Wednesday in Braga, Portugal, at the unusual kickoff time of 4:30 p.m. Budapest time (3:30 p.m. local). For Fradi fans, Thursday’s result will be remembered as a memorable European night.
