Wolves woe continues as Braga spoil the party in opening Europa League game

Ricardo Horta’s fifth goal of the competition stole of the points for Braga as Wolves began their Europa League group campaign with a defeat.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, without a win in five starts in the Premier League, created plenty of chances against their Portuguese opponents but were punished 19 minutes from the end when an unmarked Horta was able to score on a breakaway attack.

Ruben Neves went close in stoppage time as Wolves pressed hard for an equaliser but Braga held out and in a group in which the Turkish side Besiktas - Wolves’ next opponents in the competition - are favourites, it was a disappointing start for the Premier League side.

Wolves had grown into the game after a slow start and created more  opportunities in the first half, albeit without landing a shot on target. Patrick Cutrone, who had been preferred to Diogo Jota alongside Raul Jimenez up front, was the most dangerous attacker, although his finishing let him down.

His best chance had come just before half-time, when an outstanding pass by Matt Doherty put him in behind the Braga defence only for him to drag his shot wide.

Wolves went close early in the second half when Braga’s Brazilian goalkeeper Matheus saved with his feet from Leander Dendoncker but, having created so little in the first half, Braga had switched to 4-5-1 and saw an immediate improvement.

Nuno Sequeira was booked for simulation after trying to win a penalty, but moments later the Portuguese side were in front after Ryan Bennett was robbed of possession by Galeno by the left touchline as Wolves attacked.

Galeno’s speed took him clear on the left and before Wolves could get back in enough numbers to smother the danger, the winger had found Ricardo Horta unmarked at the edge of the box and the Portugal international’s finish was deadly.