Bodø/glimt secures thrilling 2-1 victory over sporting clube de braga in portugal

Just under a month ago, Bodø/Glimt faced Portuguese side Porto at home, pulling off a dramatic 3-2 victory. This Wednesday, the team met Portuguese opposition again, this time battling Sporting Clube de Braga in Portugal. The match bore similarities to their previous encounter when Isak Määttä received a red card, as strict penalties were again a theme. However, Bodø/Glimt flipped the narrative, securing this victory with an extra player on the field.

In stoppage time, Villads Nielsen scored to clinch a 2-1 win for Bodø/Glimt, bringing their tally to seven points in the Europa League. “It’s fantastic. It was the right moment to do it. We will celebrate this,” Nielsen remarked after the match.

Glimt’s coach Kjetil Knutsen noted that his team struggled for 15 minutes after Braga had a player sent off. “I have never been so close to losing it,” he admitted, but he also highlighted the thrill of experiencing such moments late in a game.

Bodø/Glimt started their Europa League campaign strongly with a home victory over Porto and followed it up with a 0-0 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise. Braga, who also won their opener against Tel Aviv, faced a heavy 3-0 loss against Olympiakos in their last match.

The first half at Estádio Municipal de Braga revealed two evenly matched teams, and after halftime, the contest ignited. It was Fredrik Bjørkan’s breakthrough that set up Håkon Evjen to score, giving Bodø/Glimt the lead. Unfortunately, the goal celebrations were short-lived, as Sikou Niakaté soon equalized for Braga but was subsequently sent off just minutes later.

Despite finishing the match with ten men, Bodø/Glimt held firm against Braga’s late pressure, thanks to important saves from goalkeeper Nikita Haikin. In a thrilling conclusion, a well-placed corner by Patrick Berg was converted by Nielsen, sealing a 2-1 victory. Next, Bodø/Glimt will host Qarabağ on November 7.