Europa Conference League Semi-Finals: Match Recap

The Europa Conference League resumed with the first legs of the semi-finals, featuring Djurgården against Chelsea and Real Betis hosting Fiorentina in southern Spain.

Chelsea Overpower Djurgården

Goalscorers: Mulugeta 68′; Sancho 13′, Madueke 43′, Jackson 59′, 65′

Chelsea demonstrated their superior quality as they comfortably defeated Djurgården 4-1 in Stockholm.

From the outset, Enzo Maresca’s team showed their intentions, with Jadon Sancho opening the scoring in the 13th minute with a well-placed shot from close range.

Marc Cucurella almost doubled the advantage shortly after, but it remained 1-0 for the time being as Chelsea continued to press their Swedish rivals.

Noni Madueke extended the lead just before half-time with a brilliant finish, bringing Chelsea to a solid 2-0 advantage.

With a squad brimming with talent worth around £200m, Maresca’s team maintained their momentum, and Nicolas Jackson added to the score in the 59th minute following a defensive mix-up from Djurgården.

Jackson found his second just six minutes later, yet the Swedish side was able to pull one back through young Isak Mulugeta, who notably scored his first goal for the club in the 68th minute.

Chelsea managed to maintain their lead and, barring an unexpected turnaround in the return leg at Stamford Bridge, they are poised to secure a spot in the Conference League final.

Real Betis Edge Closer to Historic Final

Goalscorers: Ezzalzouli 9′, Antony 64′; Ranieri 73′

Real Betis remained optimistic for 2024/25 after clinching a narrow 2-1 victory against Fiorentina in the first leg of their semi-final.

The home side took the lead early, with Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli scoring just nine minutes into the match, igniting the crowd at Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Despite Fiorentina enjoying more possession in the first half, Betis controlled the game offensively, creating several good chances before the interval that calmed their fans’ nerves.

In the second half, Antony added another goal for Betis in the 64th minute, before Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri responded quickly, reducing the deficit in the 73rd minute.

The match ended with Betis holding onto their one-goal lead, putting them just one step away from their first major European final.