The UEFA Conference League delivered a thrilling spectacle across its two-legged Round of 16 ties, with late drama, extra-time heroics, and a penalty shootout deciding the fate of several teams. Here’s a full breakdown of the results and key moments from an unforgettable week of European football.
Chelsea edged FC Copenhagen 2-1 in Denmark, with the Blues securing a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg.
Panathinaikos stunned Fiorentina 3-2 in Athens, while Real Betis and Vitoria de Guimaraes shared a pulsating 2-2 draw in Seville.
First Leg Highlights (March 6, 2024)
The opening legs set the stage for high-stakes drama:
Underdogs Jagiellonia Bialystok dominated Cercle Brugge KSV 3-0, and NK Celje claimed a 1-0 home win over FC Lugano.
Legia Warsaw suffered a setback, falling 3-2 to Molde, while Djurgardens IF and Pafos played out a tense 1-0 victory for the Cypriot side.
Second Leg Drama (March 13, 2024)
The return legs saw twists, comebacks, and heartbreak:
Chelsea 1-0 FC Copenhagen (Agg: 3-1)
Chelsea sealed their quarterfinal spot with a professional 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, advancing comfortably 3-1 on aggregate.
Fiorentina 3-1 Panathinaikos (Agg: 5-4)
Fiorentina overturned a first-leg deficit in a five-goal thriller, winning 3-1 in Florence to progress by the slimmest of margins.
Legia Warsaw 2-0 Molde (AET; Agg: 4-3)
Legia Warsaw fought back valiantly, scoring twice in extra time to overturn Molde’s aggregate lead and secure a dramatic 4-3 comeback.
SK Rapid Wien 2-1 Borac (AET; Agg: 3-2)
SK Rapid Wien needed extra time to defeat Borac, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory after a tense battle.
NK Celje Stuns Lugano on Penalties (Agg: 5-5)
In the tie of the round, NK Celje triumphed 3-1 on penalties after a chaotic 5-4 second-leg loss to FC Lugano, ending 5-5 on aggregate. The Slovenian side held their nerve to make history.
Real Betis Crush Vitoria de Guimaraes (Agg: 6-2)
Betis dominated the second leg 4-0, emphatically sealing their progression after a commanding display.
Djurgardens IF 3-0 Pafos (Agg: 3-1)
The Swedish side overturned a first-leg deficit with a dominant 3-0 performance to advance.
Cercle Brugge KSV 2-0 Jagiellonia Bialystok (Agg: 2-3)
Despite a spirited 2-0 win, Cercle Brugge fell short on aggregate as Jagiellonia’s first-leg heroics proved decisive.
Key Takeaways
Comeback Kings: Legia Warsaw and Fiorentina showcased resilience to overturn deficits, while Djurgardens IF flipped their tie with a commanding second-leg display.
- Chelsea
- Fiorentina
- Legia Warsaw
- SK Rapid Wien
- Jagiellonia Bialystok
- NK Celje
- Real Betis
- Djurgardens IF
Penalty Drama: NK Celje’s shootout win over Lugano highlighted the tournament’s unpredictability, with the Slovenians advancing despite conceding nine goals over two legs.
Clinical Betis: Real Betis’s 6-2 aggregate demolition of Vitoria de Guimaraes marked them as serious contenders.
Quarterfinal Lineup
The advancing teams are:
The draw for the quarterfinals promises more fireworks as these eight teams vie for a place in European history.
Leave feedback about this