Sporting Braga produced a stunning 4-0 triumph over Ferencvaros at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, booking a spot in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2022.
Captain Ricardo Horta, leading by example, netted twice as the Portuguese side overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Determined from the first whistle, Braga wasted no time at home, erasing Ferencvaros’ advantage within the opening 15 minutes.
Rodrigo Zalazar sparked the early surge with a surging run and precise low cross, which Horta converted from close range in the 11th minute, his 18th goal of the season.
Moments later, Zalazar’s blocked effort fortuitously fell to Florian Grillitsch, who fired in Braga’s second goal from 25 yards, leaving the Hungarian visitors stunned by the rapid turnaround.
Ferencvaros struggled to respond as Braga continued to dominate proceedings. The hosts finally seized the lead in the tie on 34 minutes when Gabriel Martinez slotted Pau Victor’s through ball past the goalkeeper, making it 3-2 on aggregate.
After the interval, Braga maintained their momentum. Horta completed his brace on 53 minutes with a composed finish from the edge of the box, putting the game beyond doubt.
Manager Stephen Keane tried to shift the game with several substitutions, but Braga held firm, with Carlos Vicens’ side seeing out the 4-0 win comfortably.
Braga will now face either Panathinaikos or Real Betis in the UEL quarter-finals next month, while Keane returns to his domestic campaign in Hungary amid swirling Premier League speculation.
