Goals: De Cuyper (20e) for Bruges // Beltran (85eSP) for Fiorentina
No, no extensions!
While they had beaten Bruges in the semi-finals first leg of the Europa League Conference thanks to a goal in added time, Fiorentina did it again on the return leg: trailing 1-0 until the 85the minute, Maxim De Cuyper having opened the score in the first period by very slightly deflecting a cross from Hans Vanaken with his head, the Italians equalized on a penalty from Lucas Beltran sanctioning a dangerous gesture by Brandon Mechele on M’Bala Nzola in the surface. Enough to avoid a drawn-out match, and above all to reach the last step of the competition.
However, the visitors had the chances to qualify early. In the first half, in particular: Nicolas Gonzalez, for example, came up against Simon Mignolet and Andrea Belotti missed the target in the process, while Christian Kouamé’s superb strike hit the crossbar. In the second act, dominated by Fio, it was the post that saved the Belgians: following a dangerous long pass from Gonzalez, Nzola hit with his helmet which sent the ball onto the post. There is nothing to regret these wasted opportunities, since the Viola finally made the difference a little later.
Also note the expulsion of Denis Odoi at the end, although he had already been replaced.
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