Braga narrowly beaten by 10-man Rio Ave

Sporting Braga have lost their first game of the season after they were narrowly beaten by Rio Ave, who played much of the second half with 10 men.

Last season's Taca de Portugal runners-up, who had an unchanged starting lineup from last week's victory against Nacional, tried to press for an early goal, but were unable to make their greater possession or attempts at goal count in the opening half-hour.

Instead, it was the hosts who went ahead on 36 minutes when Ahmed Hassan latched on to Renan Bressan's free kick before diverting the ball beyond the reach of Stanislav Kritsyuk.

Braga boss Paulo Fonseca responded at half time by sending on former Serbia Under-21 international Nikola Stojiljkovic and the away side's task of coming back into the game was made easier when Rio Ave's Nelson Monte was sent off on 54 minutes.

The Archbishops nearly got back on level terms 15 minutes from time when Joan Roman's thunderous strike beat Cassio, but came back off the bar as Rio Ave managed to hold on for victory.