UEFA Conference League Matchday 3 delivered an exhilarating display of action, featuring Chelsea’s astounding 8-0 victory and APOEL’s shocking win over Fiorentina.
The matchday saw a mix of record-breaking moments, unexpected outcomes, and late-game heroics that reshaped the league standings. Here’s a round-up of the most captivating highlights from Matchday 3.
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Conference League 2024-25 Matchday 3 Round-Up
Chelsea’s Record-Breaking 8-0 Win Over Noah
Chelsea shattered Conference League records at Stamford Bridge with an 8-0 thrashing of Armenian club Noah, marking the largest victory margin in the competition’s history. The London side delivered a staggering six goals in just 30 minutes during the first half, showcasing their attacking depth and clinical precision.
Defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi each contributed a header, with Adarabioyo’s opener setting the tone for a high-scoring evening. Chelsea’s young prospect, Marc Guiu, joined the tally, netting his first goal for the club. João Félix further amplified Chelsea’s dominance by scoring twice before halftime, while Mykhailo Mudryk’s brilliant curling strike into the top-right corner sent fans into a frenzy. Christopher Nkunku sealed the rout with two second-half goals, one of which was a powerful penalty, to send Chelsea to the top of their group.
APOEL’s Upset Over Fiorentina
In Cyprus, APOEL Nicosia earned their first Conference League win by upsetting Italian contenders Fiorentina with a resilient 2-1 scoreline. This victory marked a historic moment for APOEL and a disappointing setback for Fiorentina, who had gone unbeaten in the competition until now.
Anastasios Donis opened the scoring for APOEL with an impressive dribble that saw him evade Fiorentina’s defense before netting a close-range finish in the 37th minute. Shortly after, David Abagna extended the lead, capitalizing on a defensive lapse just before halftime. Despite a valiant response from Fiorentina, including a goal by Jonathan Ikoné after the interval, APOEL held firm under mounting pressure to secure a memorable win on home turf.
Real Betis Edges Celje in Stoppage Time Thriller
Real Betis clinched a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Celje at Estadio Benito Villamarín, with Juanmi stepping up as the hero in stoppage time. The Spaniards seemed on track for a routine win when Natan headed home the opener with just 15 minutes left. However, the Slovenian side equalized soon after, as Juanjo Nieto’s effort threatened to spoil the evening for Betis.
As the clock wound down, Juanmi’s moment of brilliance salvaged Betis’s night. Breaking through the defense in stoppage time, the veteran forward chipped the ball over Celje’s goalkeeper, Lovro Štubljar, clinching a much-needed victory and delighting the home fans.
Legia Warszawa’s Unbeaten Run Continues
Poland’s Legia Warszawa maintained their unbeaten record in the Conference League, registering a dominant 4-0 triumph over Dinamo-Minsk. Not only did Legia secure their third consecutive clean sheet, but they also stood as the only side yet to concede a goal in this campaign. Their disciplined defense and swift counter-attacks have proven key to their flawless record, placing them among the competition’s top performers.
TSC Triumphs Over Lugano in a Goal-Heavy Battle
TSC celebrated their inaugural Conference League win with a 4-1 home victory against Swiss team Lugano, ending the visitors’ previously unblemished record. The Serbian side showed both offensive prowess and defensive resilience, effectively dismantling their opponent’s game plan. TSC’s supporters were rewarded with an inspired performance as their team claimed three crucial points, injecting fresh excitement into the competition.
Víkingur R. Makes Icelandic Football History
Víkingur R. continued their successful run by defeating Borac 2-0, achieving another milestone for Icelandic football. This win followed Víkingur R.’s historic triumph in Matchday 2, where they became the first Icelandic men’s team to win a group-stage match in European competition. The Icelandic team’s impressive form and cohesive play style have underscored their strength and resilience, turning them into a formidable competitor in the league.
Matchday 3 Results
- Petrocub 0-3 Rapid Wien
- TSC 4-1 Lugano
- HJK Helsinki 0-2 Olimpija Ljubljana
- Gent 1-0 Omonoia
- Legia Warszawa 4-0 Dinamo-Minsk
- Pafos 1-0 Astana
- Shamrock Rovers 2-1 The New Saints
- Víkingur Reykjavík 2-0 Borac
- APOEL 2-1 Fiorentina
- Chelsea 8-0 Noah
- Djurgården 2-1 Panathinaikos
- Copenhagen 2-2 İstanbul Başakşehir
- Hearts 0-2 Heidenheim
- Jagiellonia Białystok 3-0 Molde
- Larne 1-2 St. Gallen
- LASK 0-0 Cercle Brugge
- Real Betis 2-1 Celje
- Vitória SC 2-1 Mladá Boleslav
Matchday 4 Fixtures (27 and 28 November)
27 November
İstanbul Başakşehir vs Petrocub (16:30 CET)
28 November
- Astana vs Vitória SC (16:30 CET)
- Heidenheim vs Chelsea (18:45 CET)
- Cercle Brugge vs Hearts (18:45 CET)
- Dinamo-Minsk vs Copenhagen (18:45 CET)
- Noah vs Víkingur Reykjavík (18:45 CET)
- St. Gallen vs TSC (18:45 CET)
- Borac vs LASK (18:45 CET)
- Molde vs APOEL (18:45 CET)
- Celje vs Jagiellonia Białystok (18:45 CET)
- Panathinaikos vs HJK Helsinki (18:45 CET)
- The New Saints vs Djurgården (18:45 CET)
- Fiorentina vs Pafos (21:00 CET)
- Lugano vs Gent (21:00 CET)
- Mladá Boleslav vs Real Betis (21:00 CET)
- Olimpija Ljubljana vs Larne (21:00 CET)
- Omonoia vs Legia Warszawa (21:00 CET)
- Rapid Wien vs Shamrock Rovers (21:00 CET)
Read More: Europa League 2024-25 Matchday 4 Round-up: Amad Diallo’s Heroics Lift Manchester
What was Chelsea’s record win in the Conference League?
Chelsea beat Noah 8-0, setting the largest win margin in Conference League history.
Who scored Betis’ last-minute goal?
Juanmi netted in stoppage time to give Betis a 2-1 win over Celje.
How did APOEL defeat Fiorentina?
APOEL won 2-1 with goals from Donis and Abagna, despite Fiorentina’s late reply.
Why is Legia Warszawa notable in the competition?
Legia Warszawa is the only team yet to concede a goal in the Conference League.
