Europa League Roundup: Lille edge Roma as early kickoffs provide drama

Lille stunned AS Roma with a 1-0 away win in Thursday’s early UEFA Europa League kick-off, thanks to Hakon Arnar Haraldsson’s first-half strike.

The real drama, however, came from Roma’s disastrous night from the spot. The hosts missed three consecutive penalties, with Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer producing heroics to deny Artem Dovbyk twice before also saving a retake from Matias Soule.

❌ Artem Dovbyk
❌ Artem Dovbyk
❌ Matias Soule

Three times Roma took their penalty against Lille.

Each time, Berke Ozer saved it. pic.twitter.com/fQTGvx0432

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 2, 2025

Elsewhere, Bologna and Freiburg shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Riccardo Orsolini struck first for the Italians, but Chukwubuike Adamu equalised from the spot to keep the Germans level in the group.

In Norway, Utrecht snatched a 1-0 win over Brann, while Braga condemned Celtic to a 2-0 home defeat. Young Boys also impressed with a 2-0 victory away at FCSB.

Later matches saw Fenerbahçe overcome Nice 2-1, Real Betis defeat Ludogorets 2-0, and Dutch outsiders Go Ahead Eagles claim a shock 2-1 win at Panathinaikos. Meanwhile, Malmö FF prevailed 3-2 in a thriller at Plzen.

Lille’s resilience in Rome stole the headlines, but with groups finely balanced after matchday two, the race to the knockout stage remains wide open.