Ricardo Horta struck to earn Braga victory as Wolves’ European dream was given a wake-up call.
Forward Horta bagged his fifth goal of the season to snatch a 1-0 opening win in the Europa League Group K clash at Molineux.
Patrick Cutrone and Leander Dendoncker went close for the hosts – who dominated for long spells – but their season continues to stutter.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side won all their qualifying games to reach the group stage, including an impressive 5-3 aggregate victory over Torino, but are winless in the Premier League.
With both teams struggling – Braga are third bottom of the Portuguese Primeira Liga – Europe offered a way to reignite their campaigns.
Raul Jimenez’s lobbed cross for Cutrone allowed the striker to hold off Bruno Viana but he only blazed over from 10 yards.
Before then only Ruben Neves’ hopeful effort and Horta’s blocked shot for Braga were worth a mention.
Cutrone had shown enough endeavour but snatched at a rare opening when he collected Matt Doherty’s pass to fire wide from 16 yards.
The hosts began to take control after Rui Patricio comfortably collected Paulinho’s weak effort and should have gone ahead after 51 minutes.
Jonny’s low cross deflected into Dendoncker’s path but Matheus saved his low strike with his legs.
Wolves continued to dominate but rather than finding a second-half breakthrough they were frustrated – before it got worse.
Braga’s threat had been minimal since the re-start but they silenced Molineux with the winner after 71 minutes.
It was a gift when Ryan Bennett’s loose pass gave the ball to Galeno on the halfway line and he raced clear.
With Wolves stretched the forward found the unmarked Horta and he drilled in at Patricio’s near post from 10 yards.
The unusually quiet Jimenez headed at Matheus with 11 minutes left and Boly’s low shot was gathered by the goalkeeper soon after.
Matheus then turned away Neves’ drive in stoppage time as Wolves failed to recover.
