Napoli earned a hard-fought victory against Braga in their Champions League opener 

The Italian Napoli escaped Sporting Braga with a 2-1 win in their Champions League opener on Wednesday in the first round of the group stage of the Champions League, after a Sikou Niakate own goal handed the Italians the points in the final minutes.  In the 1st half, in which both teams had fantastic opportunities to score, only Napoli did it in the extra time of the half after the ball landed in Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s feet and he scored a very beautiful goal in the top right corner to give the lead to the visiting team.  In the 84th minute, Bruma made it 1-1. The Braga player netted a header after fantastic Rodrigo Zalazar Martinez’s assist that left Napoli’s goalkeeper Alex Meret without a chance to save his shot. However, Napoli returned its lead in the 88th minute after Sikou Niakate netted an own goal as he tried to block Piotr Zielinski’s shot. Napoli tops the Group C standings with 3 points, ahead of its closest rivals Real Madrid on goal difference, while Braga remains without points.