UEL: Braga 1-1 Real Betis - Late Penalty Secures Draw For Heliopolitanos

Braga and Real Betis played out a draw in the UEL

The Europa League quarter-final first leg between Braga and Real Betis ended in a 1-1 draw, setting up an exciting second leg in Seville.

Real Betis equalised with a penalty in the second half to draw 1-1 with Braga in the Europa League quarter-finals...

Braga and Real Betis played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, leaving their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie wide open. The hosts started brightly, putting Betis' defense under pressure from the off.

Braga nearly took the lead in just three minutes, with Pau Lopez making a strong save to deny captain Ricardo Horta. Betis recovered, and the match was on.

Florian Grillitsch scored his third goal of the season, heading home a Diego Rodrigues corner to give Braga the lead. Lopez couldn't keep out the Austria international's superb finish.

Marc Bartra thought he'd scored an instant equaliser, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Betis defender was frustrated again when his header hit the post.

Lukas Hornicek made a great block to prevent Abde Ezzalzouli from levelling. Betis pushed for the equaliser, but it was proving tough to break through.

The Heliopolitanos continued to build momentum as the first half progressed, and only an outstanding save from Hornicek stopped Cucho Hernandez from equalising after 37 minutes. Nevertheless, Manuel Pellegrini’s side eventually drew level a quarter of an hour into the second half.

After Jean-Baptiste Gorby brought down Ezzalzouli inside the box, referee Felix Zwayer had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, and Hernandez emphatically converted the subsequent spot-kick.

All square after the first leg ⚖️#UEL pic.twitter.com/DOfESlORqG

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 8, 2026

The latter stages of the encounter were tense, with both sides aware that a second goal for either team could prove to be absolutely crucial. Ultimately, though, despite the best efforts of each outfit, a late winner could not be found.

It is therefore all to play for when the teams meet in Seville next week, with the winners of this tie facing either Freiburg or Celta Vigo in the last four.