Kubler double sparks Freiburg turnaround versus Braga to secure Europa League final place

This propelled Julian Schuster's team into the UEFA Europa League semi-final with a 4-3 aggregate victory, blocking the 2011 finalists from returning to the grand stage.

As Freiburg aimed to establish a UEL record with 11 straight home triumphs, Bragas initial advantage was already precarious before Mario Dorgeles received a red card only six minutes into the match for pulling back Jan-Niklas Beste just beyond the penalty area after he was played through by Igor Matanovic.

Beste stepped up for the free-kick, which glanced off a defender and went just wide, yet the home team waited until the 19th minute to capitalise on the numerical edge.

Kubler maintained the assault following Bragas inability to deal with a Vincenzo Grifo delivery, until a misplaced clearance bounced off Kublers leg and dropped into the bottom corner.

Even with Freiburg dominating over 75% possession in the opening period, a powerful surge and effort directly at Lukas Hornicek by Johan Manzambi shortly afterwards seemed like Julian Schusters teams strongest opportunity to take control of the tie before the interval, until moments before half-time when Manzambi found room to move inside from the flank and unleash a stunning 25-yard curling strike that evaded Hornicek.

After seizing the advantage, the hosts nearly squandered it during stoppage time, with Víctor Gomez bypassing Noah Atubolu and hitting the upright, followed by Rodrigo Zalazars follow-up being expertly stopped by Kubler.

The Breisgau-Brasilianer nearly extended their lead several times in the opening 10 minutes of the second half – Grifos attempt from outside the box clipped the foot of the post, while Matthias Ginter drove a perfect 30-yard volley just astray.

Next, Horniceks extended arm deflected a shot bound for the upper corner, robbing Manzambi of a memorable double. However, not finishing off the Portuguese outfit turned them into a threat on the counter, forcing Atubolu to react quickly at his near post to thwart Jean-Baptiste Gorby prior to the hour.

Undefeated in 11 European return fixtures, Os Arcebispos believed their streak would continue when Joao Moutinho fired a bending shot, though it skimmed just wide.

Freiburg then owed their goalkeeper for sustaining their aspirations, as he stopped Bests effort and, from the ensuing corner, miraculously denied Matanovics header along with Ginters subsequent attempt in an outstanding double stop.

Yet the stopper was powerless 18 minutes before the end, as Grifos set-piece was nodded home decisively by Kubler. The home sides preparations for the final were disrupted in the 79th minute by Pau Victor, who headed in after Gomez volleyed Moutinhos free-kick across the face of goal, reducing the overall margin back to a single goal.

Atubolu palmed a swerving Gorby effort over the bar two minutes shy of the final whistle, allowing Freiburg to cling on for a breakthrough victory against Portuguese foes en route to Istanbul, whereas Bragas mere fourth loss in 21 UEL outings ultimately proved decisive.