Conference League Round of 16: First-Leg Results.

The first leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 delivered an action-packed night of football, featuring dramatic comebacks, hard-fought draws, and decisive victories. Chelsea, a tournament favorite, secured a narrow win against FC Copenhagen, but questions remain about their consistency. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos edged out Fiorentina in a five-goal thriller, and Legia Warsaw staged a remarkable comeback against Molde after trailing 3-0.

Key Match Highlights

Real Betis 2-2 Vitória SC

A thrilling Iberian showdown saw Real Betis and Vitória SC share the spoils. Cedric Bakambu opened the scoring for Betis in the 48th minute, but João Mendes quickly equalized. Isco restored Betis’ lead in the 75th minute, only for Nélson Oliveira to level the match late on.

Goals:

• Bakambu (48′)
• João Mendes (51′)
• Isco (75′)
• Oliveira N. (81′)

Yellow Cards: Ruibal (53′), Antony M. (81′), Isco (86′), Chimy Ávila (90′)

Jagiellonia 3-0 Cercle Brugge

Jagiellonia dominated Cercle Brugge, sealing an emphatic 3-0 victory. Pululu converted a penalty in the 69th minute before Romanczuk and Pululu struck again to put the game beyond doubt. Cercle Brugge finished the match with ten men after Francis was sent off.

Goals:

• Pululu (69′ – Penalty)
• Romanczuk (75′)
• Pululu (78′)

Yellow Cards: Flach (40′), Villar M. (62′) – Francis (24′, 59′)
Red Card: Francis (59′)

NK Celje 1-0 Lugano

A single goal from Svetlin in the 23rd minute was enough for NK Celje to claim victory over Lugano in a tightly contested match.

Goals:

• Svetlin (23′)

Yellow Cards: Kučys (52′), Nemanic (90′) – Hajdari A. (16′), Bottani (59′)
Red Card: Papadopoulos A. (90′)

Panathinaikos 3-2 Fiorentina

A five-goal thriller saw Panathinaikos secure a crucial first-leg victory over Fiorentina. Świderski and Maksimovic gave the hosts an early lead before Fiorentina hit back through Beltran and Fagioli. Tetê struck the winner in the 55th minute to seal the win.

Goals:

• Świderski (5′)
• Maksimovic (19′)
• Beltran (20′)
• Fagioli (23′)
• Tetê (55′)

Yellow Cards: Tetê (39′) – Moreno M. (90′)

Borac 1-1 Rapid Wien

A late penalty from Vukovic ensured Borac salvaged a draw against Rapid Wien after Dijon had given the visitors the lead in the first half.

Goals:

• Dijon (34′)
• Vukovic D. (90′ – Penalty)

Yellow Cards: Carolina (72′) – Grgic L. (42′), Sangaré (58′), Bolla (61′)

Pafos FC 1-0 Djurgårdens

Pafos FC secured a crucial home win, with Tankovic netting the only goal in the 65th minute.

Goals:

• Tankovic (65′)

Yellow Cards: Luckassen D. (84′), Pileas (90′) – Danielson (90′)

Molde 3-2 Legia Warsaw

Molde looked to have sealed victory with three first-half goals from Hestad, Eriksen, and Gulbrandsen. However, Legia Warsaw fought back in the second half with goals from Chodyna and Luquinhas, keeping their hopes alive for the second leg.

Goals:

• Hestad E. (11′)
• Eriksen (17′)
• Gulbrandsen (43′)
• Chodyna (64′)
• Luquinhas (67′)

Yellow Cards: Stenevik (14′) – Ziolkowski (50′), Luquinhas (89′)

FC Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea

Chelsea took a significant step toward the Conference League quarter-finals with a 2-1 away win against FC Copenhagen. Reece James and Enzo Fernandez found the net before Magalhaes pulled one back for the hosts late on.

Goals:

• James R. (46′)
• Fernandez E. (65′)
• Magalhaes G. (79′)

Yellow Cards: Diks (77′), Chiakha (87′), López M.L. (90′) – Fernandez E. (87′)

Looking Ahead

With thrilling first-leg encounters setting the stage, the second legs promise even more excitement as teams battle for a spot in the quarter-finals. Chelsea, Panathinaikos, and Legia Warsaw have set themselves up well, but nothing is decided yet.

Stay tuned for more UEFA Conference League action as teams fight to keep their European dreams alive!