Victory against Braga in the Europa League: Union Berlin still has progress in their own hands

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Robin Knoche (left) celebrates the 1-0 with Rani Khedira

Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE / REUTERS

Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin have every chance of moving into the knockout stage with a 1-0 (0-0) win against Sporting Braga before the final day of the Europa League.

Robin Knoche brought the only real highlight to a long, dreary evening of football at the old Försterei when he converted a hand penalty into the winning goal (68th).

For a good hour before that, Union had shown more of what had already been going on in the four match days before during the Köpenicker European Cup season: Strong fighting football kept the guests from Braga at a distance despite clear ball possession advantages, but Union also hardly created any chances of their own .

Before the game, the Berliners had just two goals from four games, and against the guests from Portugal they didn't seem to have the means to score many more goals.

Morten Thorsby's header (2nd) from a situation that had been called off anyway remained Berlin's only hesitant approach to the goal for a long time.

Knoche does it like against Malmo

In the second half, an intervention by the video assistant brought the big chance that Union needed: Fabiano jumped the ball on his upper arm after a cross from Janik Haberer, an extensive check on the monitor prompted referee Craig Pawson to call a penalty.

Because regular shooter Jordan had already been substituted after a poor performance, defender Knoche stepped in.

He had already converted a penalty shortly before the end of the home game against Malmö, and this time he kept his nerve from the point (68th).

Shortly before the end, Union keeper Frederik Rönnow showed a little uncertainty with a free kick (89th), but in the end the Irons brought the narrow victory over time.

The progress of the Berliners will now be decided on the sixth and final day of the game.

At the Belgian club Union St. Gilloise, who have already been confirmed as group winners, Urs Fischer's team is concerned with consolidating second place.

The Bundesliga club currently has a two-point lead over Braga.

The Portuguese will end up playing Malmo at home.

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