SC Freiburg reaches Europa League final 4-3 over Braga

FREIBURG, Germany -- SC Freiburg advanced to the UEFA Europa League final for the first time in club history, defeating Sporting Braga 3-1 at home on Thursday for a 4-3 aggregate victory in the semifinals.

The German Bundesliga side capitalized on an early numerical advantage after Braga's Mario Dorgeles received a straight red card in the sixth minute for fouling Jan-Niklas Beste on a clear run toward goal. Freiburg dominated possession, exceeding 75 percent in the first half, and broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Lukas Kubler's persistence in the box led to a deflection off his shin into the net following a Vincenzo Grifo cross.

Johan Manzambi doubled the lead four minutes before halftime with a curling 25-yard strike into the far corner after cutting in from the left. Braga nearly responded in stoppage time as Victor Gomez rounded goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, struck the post, and Rodrigo Zalazar's rebound was blocked by Kubler.

Freiburg pressed early in the second half, with Grifo striking the base of the post and Matthias Ginter volleying just wide from 30 yards. Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek made key saves, including a double stop from Beste and Igor Matanovic off a...