In a night of high-stakes football across Europe, the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 delivered intense action and unforgettable moments.
Chelsea secured a narrow yet decisive 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen to advance with a 3-1 aggregate, while Fiorentina edged past Panathinaikos in a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win.
From commanding displays to last-minute heroics, the competition’s quarter-final lineup is now set, promising even more excitement ahead.
Here are concise match reports from tonight’s UEFA Conference League fixtures:
Chelsea 1–0 FC Copenhagen (Aggregate: 3–1)
Chelsea advanced to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge, securing a 3-1 aggregate win.
Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Danish side.
Despite a lackluster first half, manager Enzo Maresca’s substitutions, including Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella, injected energy into the team, leading to an improved second-half performance.
Real Betis 4–0 Vitória de Guimarães (Aggregate: 6–2)
Real Betis delivered a commanding performance, defeating Vitória de Guimarães 4-0 in Portugal, resulting in a 6-2 aggregate triumph. Cedric Bakambu scored twice, followed by a goal from Antony before turning provider for Isco, effectively sealing the match.
Cercle Brugge 2–0 Jagiellonia Białystok (Aggregate: 2–3)
Jagiellonia Białystok secured their spot in the quarter-finals despite a 2-0 loss to Cercle Brugge, achieving a 3-2 aggregate score.
NK Celje 5–4 FC Lugano (Aggregate: 5–5, Celje win 3–1 on penalties)
In a thrilling encounter, NK Celje defeated Lugano 5-4, bringing the aggregate score to 5-5. The match proceeded to penalties, where Celje emerged victorious with a 3-1 shootout win.
Fiorentina 3–1 Panathinaikos (Aggregate: 5–4)
Fiorentina edged past Panathinaikos with a 3-1 home win, concluding the tie with a 5-4 aggregate score. The Italian side’s attacking prowess proved decisive in this closely contested matchup.
Djurgårdens IF 3–0 Pafos FC (Aggregate: 3–1)
Djurgårdens IF overturned a first-leg deficit by defeating Pafos FC 3-0 at home, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory. The Swedish team dominated the match, effectively nullifying their opponents’ aadvances.
SK Rapid Wien 2–1 Borac Banja Luka (Aggregate: 3–2)
SK Rapid Wien progressed to the next round with a 2-1 victory over Borac Banja Luka, achieving a 3-2 aggregate win. The Austrian side’s tactical discipline and home advantage played pivotal roles in their advancement.
Legia Warsaw 2–0 Molde FK (After Extra Time, Aggregate: 4–3)
Legia Warsaw defeated Molde FK 2-0 after extra time, with the Polish team advancing 4-3 on aggregate.