Chelsea took a significant step towards the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos and Fiorentina delivered a five-goal thriller in their encounter.
Reece James and Enzo Fernández scored in the second half to give Chelsea control of the tie, despite Gabriel Pereira’s late goal for the hosts. Under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea managed to hold on to their advantage in the Danish capital.
After a lackluster first half, Chelsea captain Reece James broke the deadlock just a minute into the second half, finishing off Marc Cucurella’s deep cut-back with a precise low shot into the near post. The goal revitalized the game, and Copenhagen nearly responded immediately, but Viktor Claesson’s one-on-one effort struck the inside of Robert Sánchez’s post and bounced back safely.
Substitute Enzo Fernández doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 65th minute with a powerful finish following impressive work by teenager Tyrique George. However, Copenhagen pulled one back in the 79th minute when Gabriel Pereira headed home unmarked from a set-piece, keeping their hopes alive for the second leg.
In other matches, last season’s runners-up Fiorentina fell to a 3-2 defeat against Greek side Panathinaikos. The hosts surged to a 2-0 lead within 19 minutes through Karol Świderski and Nemanja Maksimović. Fiorentina quickly responded with goals from Lucas Beltrán and Nicolò Fagioli to level the score, but Tete’s 55th-minute strike secured a narrow win for Panathinaikos.
Meanwhile, Molde survived a late scare to edge Legia Warsaw 3-2 in Norway. Eirik Hestad, Kristian Eriksen, and Fredrik Gulbrandsen scored for Molde, while Legia’s Kacper Chodyna and Luquinhas struck twice in quick succession to make for a nervy finish.
In Spain, Real Betis were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães. Cédric Bakambu and Isco scored for Betis, but João Saraiva and Nélson Oliveira’s goals ensured the tie remains evenly poised.
Later fixtures include Austria’s Rapid Vienna visiting Borac Banja Luka of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Swiss side Lugano travel to Slovenia to face Celje.
