The Europa Conference League provided us with another week of great football. Here are some of the best moments from matchday two.
Villarreal narrowly win
Last week they narrowly beat Lech Poznan 4-3, and this week former Europa League winners Villarreal travelled to Israel to take on Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Again, it wasn’t easy for the Spanish side, and they looked close to missing out on points. They took the lead through a penalty halfway through the first half, before conceding an equaliser early in the second.
Only a 67th minute Alex Baena strike could give them the three points they need.
Villarreal came into the tournament expecting to easily top their group, but things haven’t been quite so easy for them, and they’ll be hoping to bounce back and dominate the group in the future.
¿PERO QUÉ FANTASÍA ES ESTA 🦄?#UECL pic.twitter.com/yP1hhMAgwR
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) September 15, 2022
Fiorentina crashing
Fiorentina were hoping to keep up the late tradition of Italian clubs in the Conference League, but things aren’t quite going to plan.
After a shocking draw against RFS, they were hoping for better against Istanbul Başakşehir.
It wasn’t to be. Turkish veteran Serdar Gürler was by far the best player on the pitch as the Turks won 3-0.
One point from their first two games is not quite Fiorentina were expecting.
🇹🇷 Haydi oylar Serdar Gürler'e! 📩 👊🏻 https://t.co/GTn18HDOZe pic.twitter.com/7A70g3T59V
— İstanbul Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) September 16, 2022
Nordic drama in Sweden
The all-Nordic clash between Djurgårdens and Molde looked like a promising matchup, and those who tuned in enjoyed a match full of drama.
It started with a successful penalty for Molde, converted by Datro Fofana. A 50th minute equaliser from Amadou Doumbouya followed, and then Emmanuel Banda gave Djurgårdens the lead eight minutes later.
But Molde didn’t give up, and pulled level 10 minutes from time.
In the last minutes of the game, however, Joel Adorno slotted home for the Swedes to give Djurgårdens their first win in the group stage this season.
Armenia’s first win
Last season, Alshakert became the first Armenian side to play in the Conference League group stage, ending their campaign with one point and bowing out at the end of the round.
This year it was Pyunik’s turn, and they helped to write and important chapter in Armenian football.
Hosting Slovan Bratislava, they scored two first half goals in quick succession. A 2-0 lead that saw them through the whole 90 minutes.
It was the first time an Armenian team has won a Conference League game. And, surprisingly for some, are showing themselves to be a contender for second place, behind leader’s Basel.
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by Villarreal CF official Twitter account
WE DID IT!!! Three points and a clean sheet! Well done boys!#gopyunik🔵🔴 #fcpyunik #skslovan #uefaconferenceleague #conferenceleague pic.twitter.com/SYnXE4tdLx
— FC Pyunik (@FC_Pyunik) September 15, 2022
Conference League's final draws near, and four teams are poised for Athens on May 29. Olympiacos dazzled Villa Park, while Fiorentina secured a narrow lead.
Aston Villa saw off Lille, while Olympiakos got Fenerbahçe in trouble. Yossi Medina and Eden Roitfarb recapped all the Conference League quarter-final first-leg action.
Maccabi Tel Aviv routed ten-man Hapoel 4-1 at Bloomfield, in a fiery derby marked by red cards and pyro chaos.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Nigeria’s Mavlon academy to Viktoria Plzeň and the Europa League dream: Salim Fago’s journey is just beginning in Europe.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
Olympiacos 'killed' Aston Villa again, advancing to their first-ever European final, where they'll meet Fiorentina—all the action from the Conference League semi-finals.