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A stunning long-range strike from Ricardo Horta helped Braga secure a 2-0 victory against Celtic in the UEFA Europa League, piling more pressure on the Scottish Premiership champion.

Celtic fans called off a silent protest, initially planned because of their disappointment in the squad's lack of investment, after the board agreed to a meeting with a leading supporters' group, but this defeat will not help matters for the Hoops' hierarchy.

The hosts made a positive start, as the bright Sebastian Tounekti linked up well with Kieran Tierney on the left and tested Lukas Hornicek with a strong effort after 13 minutes, but Horta broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion.

Horta received a simple pass from Jean-Baptiste Gorby and fired a powerful effort towards the top-right corner, with Kasper Schmeichel only able to palm the strike into the side-netting.

Celtic got back onto the front foot in the second half and thought it had an equaliser before the hour mark, but Kelechi Iheanacho's effort was ruled out for handball after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Both Tierney and Tounekti went close, but Hornicek pulled off two brilliant saves to deny a leveller.

The visitors secured all three points when Dane Murray's clearance was closed down by Gabri Martinez and turned home in the process, with Celtic now winless in its past three games.

Tounekti said he believed the disallowed goal completely changed the momentum of the game.

“It was never a handball, it's crazy that the referee disallowed that,” Tounekti said.

“We watched the video over again and I spoke to Kele about it. I'm really interested in what VAR saw because that was never a handball.

“I think if that goal stood we would win the game 100%.”

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers added: “There's absolutely no way, whatever way you look at it, [Iheanacho] has touched it [with his hand.

“That's a huge moment in the game.”