BRAGA, Portugal, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Lazio finished top of the Europa League group stage despite a 1-0 defeat at Sporting Braga on Thursday as the Portuguese side failed to secure a playoff spot.

Braga opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Ricardo Horta fired into the bottom corner from Victor Gomez's cross.

The Italian side battled to maintain their unbeaten run after the break, but failed to penetrate Braga's organised defence.

Lazio's first defeat in their European campaign left them top on 19 points, level with Athletic Bilbao but ahead on goal difference. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City, editing by Ed Osmond)