Union Berlin 2-3 SC Braga: Os Arcebispos claim injury-time win at Olympiastadion

With Union Berlin opting to play their UEFA Champions League fixtures at Hertha Berlin’s Olympiastadion as opposed to their own Stadion An der Alten Försterei, die Eisernen would welcome SC Braga to the German capital on Tuesday evening.

FCU: Rønnow; Gosens, Leite, Bonucci, Doekhi, Juranović; Haberer, Král, Tousart; Behrens, Becker

BRA: Matheus; Borja, Niakaté, Saatçi, Mendes; Musrati, Zalazar; Bruma, Horta, Djaló; Banza

With undeniable poor form heading into this fixture and having failed to register three points since 26 August, it looked as though Union Berlin’s misfortunes would continue when Robin Gosens was denied the opening goal by VAR after just four minutes.

But when Sheraldo Becker netted a crucial opener in front of a euphoric Olympiastadion with thirty minutes played in West Berlin, it promised to be the start of a rampant display from die Eisernen – with the Surinamese international latching onto Alex Král’s through ball.

And just seven minutes on, he added to his personal tally further. Lucas Tousart’s header fell beautifully into the path of the forward, who beat Serdar Saatçi to the ball and fired a tidy effort past Matheus.

Their two-goal lead would soon be halved though, as when Sikou Niakaté picked out the back of the net with a simple finish from a corner, there was a palpable belief that SC Braga would be able to rescue something from this clash.

For Union Berlin, those fears would be realised in the 51st minute. With a simply spectacular strike, Bruma rushed onto Ricardo Horta’s cutback from the edge of the area – stunning the Olympiastadion as he restored parity in style.

And while many Union fans will believe that Becker could have completed his hat-trick on several occasions throughout the second half it was Castro that struck next in stoppage time – sealing all three points for Braga to leave die Eisernen disheartened.

SC Braga will face a tougher challenge next time out though, hosting Real Madrid on 24 October. Union Berlin will host SSC Napoli on the same date, with both matches kicking off at 8pm UK time.