Napoli secured a dramatic 2-1 away victory against Sporting Braga in an exhilarating Champions League Group C encounter, with an unfortunate own goal by Sporting Braga defender Sikou Niakate sealing the win for the Italian champions.
The match, characterized by numerous missed opportunities, saw Napoli take the lead in the dying moments of the first half. Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo capitalized on a clever assist by striker Victor Osimhen, who redirected the ball away from the goal. Di Lorenzo expertly volleyed the ball off the crossbar and into the net, giving Napoli a valuable lead as the teams headed into halftime.
Sporting Braga, returning to the Champions League for the first time in 11 seasons, elevated their performance in the second half. Their relentless effort paid off in the 84th minute when forward Bruma delivered a precise header, courtesy of a perfectly executed cross by substitute Rodrigo Zalazar. The equalizer ignited hopes of a comeback for the home team.
However, just four minutes later, the match took another twist when Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski delivered a pass from close range. In an unfortunate turn of events, Sikou Niakate intervened with his first touch, inadvertently guiding the ball into Sporting Braga’s net. This unexpected turn of events handed Napoli the lead once more and ultimately secured their victory.
In the other Group C fixture, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory against Union Berlin earlier in the day, courtesy of a late goal by Jude Bellingham.
Napoli’s triumph in this thrilling clash sets the stage for an intriguing Champions League campaign, with the Italian champions looking to make their mark in a highly competitive group.
