Dinamo Minsk have found home comforts elusive in continental competition, failing to score in both of their recent European fixtures in Belarus. SC Braga, still unbeaten and yet to concede this season, have opted for wholesale changes with nine regulars rested, raising questions…
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Sign inDinamo Minsk welcome SC Braga to their Stadyen Dynama home on 13 August 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie. Braga carry a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Portugal, courtesy of Ricardo Horta’s first-half penalty, leaving the Belarusian side needing to overturn the deficit to keep their European campaign alive.
Braga emerged from the first leg without any new injury worries. Defender Sikou Niakate remains sidelined with the Achilles injury he suffered in April. Head coach Carlos Vicens made three changes for the first leg, handing competitive starts to summer arrivals Gabriel Silva, Denis Huseinbasic and goalkeeper Bernardo Fontes. Silva opened his Braga account in the previous round against Zeleznicar Pancevo and is pushing to retain his place, while Fontes is expected to continue in goal. Huseinbasic may be rotated for Diego Rodrigues in midfield. Joao Moutinho, the 39-year-old former Wolves midfielder, is likely to anchor the midfield again.
For Dinamo Minsk, head coach Shahoyka made only one alteration between the two legs of their second qualifying round tie against Neftci Baku. Artem Sokolovskiy could keep his place in midfield, though Aleksey Zhechko is an option to return. Karen Vardanyan, who scored a brace in the away first leg against Neftci, is set to lead the attack once more. The hosts are still without winger Ivan Bakhar, out since March with a hamstring injury.
Braga opened their qualifying campaign with a dominant 5-0 aggregate win over Serbian side Zeleznicar Pancevo, then edged Dinamo Minsk 1-0 at home. While they ended the 2025/26 domestic season with only one victory in their final six matches, Vicens’ men have been more assured in Europe, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five competitive outings. The Portuguese outfit are seasoned Conference League competitors, having reached the Europa League semi-finals last season before falling to Freiburg.
Dinamo Minsk’s recent form in all competitions is mixed, reading D, L, W, W, D, L. They have not recorded back-to-back clean sheets since mid-April and have managed more than a single goal in only one of their last four Conference League qualifying ties. At home, however, they will look to harness the Minsk crowd and draw encouragement from their strong away display in Azerbaijan during the previous round.
The 22-year-old forward is Dinamo Minsk’s most potent threat after his two goals in Baku. He faces a Braga defence likely to feature Bright Arrey-Mbi, Paulo Oliveira or new signing Ricardo Barcia and Vítor Carvalho. The visitors restricted Minsk to few clear chances in the first leg, but Vardanyan’s movement and ability to finish from limited opportunities will test whether Braga can preserve their slender lead.
A place in the playoff round, one step from the Conference League group stage, is on the line. Dinamo Minsk need a composed yet aggressive performance to overturn the aggregate score; Braga will aim to manage the tie with the same control they showed in the first leg.
Dinamo Minsk
Coach: Aleksandr Shagoyko
SC Braga
Coach: Carlos Vicens
