UEFA Conference League: Fiorentina outlast Viktoria Plzen, Olympiacos beat Fenerbahce on penalties to reach semi-finals

Updated 18/04/2024 at 22:56 GMT

Fiorentina are into the last four of the UEFA Europa Conference League once more with an extra-time win over Czech side Viktoria Plzen. Goals from Nico Gonzalez and Cristiano Biraghi were enough to see the Viola through, and they will face Club Brugge in the semi-finals. Vincenzo Italiano's side were beaten in the final of this competition last year by West Ham.

FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 18: Cristiano Biraghi of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 Quarter-final second leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 18

Image credit: Getty Images

Fiorentina needed extra time to edge past Viktoria Plzen 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and reach the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Last year’s beaten finalists, who fell at the last hurdle in 2022/23 to West Ham thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute winner, had the better of proceedings in the second leg after a goalless encounter in the Czech Republic in the reverse encounter a week ago.

Nico Gonzalez scored the opener two minutes into the additional half-hour, slotting home after a melee from a corner, and Cristiano Biraghi doubled the advantage three minutes into the second period, with the Viola breaking quickly and the defender sweeping home.

Champions League

Coefficient rankings: Premier League hopes in tatters as Italy secures extra spot

18/04/2024 at 22:53

Vincenzo Italiano’s side will face Club Brugge, who beat PAOK 2-0 in their second leg to follow up a 1-0 home win.

Ferran Jutgla, the Spanish striker, netted a first half brace to send the Belgian side into the last four.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, were rescued from a premature exit at the hands of Lille by their 'keeper Emiliano Martinez, who came up trumps in the penalty shoot-out after Matty Cash’s 87th-minute strike forced extra time in France.

Villa will face Olympiacos in their semi-final, after the Greek side lost 1-0 on the night to Fenerbahce, but overcame the Turkish side on penalties following a 3-1 win in the first leg.

Irfan Kaveci scored the game's only goal on 11 minutes, and in a miss-ridden shootout, it was Leonardo Bonucci, the former Juventus centre-back, who missed the decisive spot-kick to send Olympiacos into the last four.

Dusan Tadic and Cengiz Under, the former Southampton and Leicester City players, also missed their penalties, while Youssef El Arabi and Rodinei's blushes were spared as they missed for Jose Luis Mendilibar's visitors.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Transfers

Casemiro leads 10-man group set to leave Manchester United - Paper Round

17/04/2024 at 07:09

Serie A

Atalanta throw away two-goal lead in draw with Verona, Genoa hold Fiorentina

16/04/2024 at 16:02

Serie A

Gatti goal seals win as Juve keep pace with Milan in race for second

07/04/2024 at 21:18

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me