AFCON 2025
The UEFA Europa League play-off first legs produced a night of emphatic victories, late drama and finely balanced ties as teams across Europe battled for a place in the group stage.
Midtjylland were among the biggest winners, dismantling KuPS 4–0 in Denmark to all but secure progression. Malmö also put one foot in the group stage with a comfortable 3–0 triumph over Sigma Olomouc, while Braga ran riot in Gibraltar, thrashing Lincoln Red Imps 4–0.
Genk stunned Polish giants Lech Poznań with a ruthless 5–1 away victory, leaving the return leg little more than a formality. Utrecht also impressed, claiming a professional 2–0 win away to Zrinjski Mostar.
Elsewhere, Aberdeen staged a spirited comeback at Pittodrie to draw 2–2 with Romanian side FCSB. Trailing by two goals inside half an hour, the Dons rallied through Polvara before Sokler struck late to keep their hopes alive. Brann also left it late in Norway, with Torsvik’s stoppage-time winner sealing a 2–1 victory over AEK Larnaca.
Panathinaikos edged Samsunspor 2–1 in Athens, recovering from Tómasson’s opener to take a slim lead into the second leg. Shkëndija earned a narrow 2–1 win against Ludogorets in Skopje, while Rijeka made home advantage count with a 1–0 success over Greek outfit PAOK.
Elsewhere, Young Boys produced an efficient away performance to beat Slovan Bratislava 1–0, and Maccabi Tel Aviv struck twice through Dor Peretz to earn a 3–1 win over Dynamo Kyiv.
The first legs leave several ties finely balanced heading into next week’s decisive return fixtures, but for the likes of Genk, Midtjylland, Malmö, Braga and Utrecht, qualification already looks well within reach.
