Match Overview: Levski Sofia vs Braga (July 24, 2025 – Kickoff 19:30 CET)
In a hard-fought UEFA Europa League second qualifying round first leg, S.C. Braga and Levski Sofia served up a thrilling 0-0 draw at Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria. The match, which was hosted on Thursday, July 24, 2025, was the two clubs' inaugural competitive meeting and set the second leg in Portugal up for a genuine show-down.
Final Score: Braga 0 – 0 Levski Sofia
Date: July 24, 2025
Competition: UEFA Europa League Qualifiers – Second Round
Venue: Stadion Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia, Bulgaria
Match Summary: Levski Holds Strong as Braga Miss Opportunities
Despite Braga having full control and creating several neat chances, Levski Sofia's defence denied the Portuguese club throughout the span of 90 minutes. Braga, who have recently altered their manager with Carlos Vicens stepping into the role, failed to break through a solid Levski defence.
The Bulgarian defense, led by coach José Julio Velázquez, lined up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, depending on midfield solidity and rare breaks led by Denny Gropper and Sangaré Mustapha. Braga's attacking lineup, consisting of Ricardo Horta and Abel Ruiz, could not convert chances into goals.
Tactical Highlights and Player Performances
⭐ Levski Sofia Key Players
- Plamen Andreev (GK) – Excellent performance with crucial saves that dampened Braga's endeavors.
- Maicon & Dimitrov (CBs) – Dominant aerial threat and positional awareness in defense.
- Marin Petkov (AMF) – Contributed crucial phase transitions from defense to attack.
⭐ Braga Key Players
- Ricardo Horta (FW) – Created space and had crucial shots but failed to provide final product.
- João Moutinho (MF) – Played safe, level-headed midfield with over 90% passing success.
- Al Musrati (MF) – Gained footing to rewin the ball.
Full player statistics and team performance can be found on SofaScore Match Center.
Match Statistics
| Stat | Levski Sofia | Braga |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Shots (on target) | 7 (2) | 12 (4) |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
| Fouls | 14 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Saves | 4 | 2 |
For more comprehensive stats, read Flashscore Match Report.
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
This was Levski Sofia and Braga's first-ever competitive encounter. Pre-match:
- Levski had defeated Montana 5-0 in their home league opener.
- Braga had remained undefeated in four pre-season friendlies, which included a 3-1 win against Celta Vigo.
For form guides and H2H, go to Soccerway H2H Page.
What's Next? The Second Leg in Portugal
The fixture will now be at the Estádio Municipal de Braga for the last second leg on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Since there is no away goals rule in this case, a team winning by any score will qualify and proceed to the Europa League third qualifying round. If there is again a draw, then that will lead it to extra time and likely penalties.
Braga will be favorites on home soil, but Levski’s resilient display suggests they won’t go down without a fight.
Stay updated on the UEFA Europa League draw and fixtures via the official UEFA website.
Fan Reactions and Social Buzz
Fans from both clubs flooded social media with reactions, praising the defensive performance and criticizing the lack of attacking flair.
@levskifans: "Proud of the boys for keeping at bay a strong Braga team. Gerena fortress still intact! "
@bragaforlife: "Missed chances again. Should've killed them in the first half. Heavy pressure next week! #SCBraga"
Participate in fan arguments on Reddit Europa League Thread and on X (Twitter) using hashtags like #LevskiBraga, #UEL, and #EuropaLeague.
✅ Conclusion: A Fair Result in a Tense Encounter
While neither team emerged victorious in Sofia, there are positives both managers will take from the performance. Levski Sofia showed their growing firepower on the continent, while Braga is a technically gifted team that needs to be clinical.
The second leg should bring fireworks—watch this space.
Related Links
Braga Levski Sofia head to head Levski Sofia Braga result Levski Sofia vs Braga today football match