The Europa Conference League has brought some great drama so far this season, and the first leg of the semi-finals gave us even more of these.
Here are the best moments from the Europa Conference League semi-final first legs.
The magic Swiss run continues
A game with great drama, filled with goals, lead changes, and a surprise late winner. Or, as FC Basel would call it, a regular Thursday night.
Amazingly the Swiss side has done it again, this time away in Florence, at the home of Fiorentina.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute via an Arthur Cabral goal, who scored against his former club and did not celebrate out of respect.
He would have had good reason to though, as it made him the competition’s top goalscorer.
The comeback kings, however, always have a surprise in store.
In the 71st minute, a perfectly executed attack caught the Viola off guard, and Andy Diouf ran halfway across the pitch before slotting home a left-footed strike.
In stoppage time, it was Zeki Amdouni who finished off from inside the box after a set piece scramble.
The goal stunned the home crowd and sent the traveling Basel fans into euphoria.
For the third straight away knockout game, Basel conceded first, then answered with late goals to equalise or win.
An amazing win for Heiko Vogel’s players, but Fiorentina has scored four goals in each of their previous three Conference League away days - so all is still open for the return leg.
💥 BOOOOM 💪 BACK IN THE GAME ⚽#FCBasel1893 #MirSinBasel #UECL #ACFFCB #rotblaulive pic.twitter.com/NTJ67W4pUp
— FC Basel 1893 (@FCBasel1893) May 11, 2023
Advantage Hammers
Another team known for its comebacks, although in less dramatic fashion, is West Ham United.
For the fourth time this Conference League campaign, the Hammers went down 1-0 but went on to win the game.
This time it was against AZ Alkmaar, who visited a full house in the London Stadium.
They led through a Tijani Reijnders strike.
Their comeback this time required some help from AZ’s goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, who fouled Jarrod Bowen as both jumped for a ball just past the hour mark.
An easy penalty call for the referee, and Said Benrahma slotted the spot kick home.
The pressure grew, and in the 76th minute a corner kick led to a Michail Antonio tap in to make it 2-1 on the night for the Irons.
West Ham now have seven wins in seven European home games this season.
AZ will, however, try to use their home advantage next week to become the second straight Dutch side in the Conference League final.
For that they will need to beat a team who is still undefeated in the competition, and that is slowly but steadily creating their own European tradition and DNA.
Edited by Alex Smith
Those European nights ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eod2IsBiXZ
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 12, 2023
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.
The Conference League round of 16 has been concluded, with a shocking exit for Maccabi Tel Aviv, a respectful performance by Maccabi Haifa and a series of massive results elsewhere on the continent.
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.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
From rain-soaked Rabat to a deafening semifinal night, Morocco edge Nigeria on penalties and stand 90 minutes from an AFCON title.
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.