On Thursday, Lazio ended up as the group - stage winner of the Europa League, even though they suffered a 1 - 0 loss at the hands of Sporting Braga. The Portuguese team, Sporting Braga, failed to clinch a playoff position.

Braga took the lead in the sixth minute. Ricardo Horta received a cross from Victor Gomez and fired a shot into the bottom corner, thus opening the scoring.

The Italian side battled to maintain their unbeaten run after the break, but failed to penetrate Braga's organised defence.

Lazio's first defeat in their European campaign left them top on 19 points, level with Athletic Bilbao but ahead on goal difference.