×
ISL 2025-26: Second-half goals help FC Goa beat Odisha 3-1  Second-half goals from Dejan Drazic, Pol Moreno and Brison Fernandes helped FC Goa secure a 3-1 victory over Odisha FC, which found a late consolation through Suhair VP, in their Indian Super League 2025-26 match at the PJN Stadium in Margao, on Friday.The Gaurs returned to winning ways after a run of draws and a defeat, climbing to fifth in the standings with 13 points, while OFC slipped to 12th with five points.The opening half was a measured contest, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Rahul KP was the most lively presence for the Juggernauts, testing the Goa defence with two early efforts, while the host found itself caught offside on multiple occasions as it attempted to build attacks.Odisha continued to threaten from a distance, with Rahul forcing a save from debutant goalkeeper Bob Jackson, who showed composure between the posts. At the other end, Udanta Singh came close after a sharp run into the box, but Amrinder Singh stood firm to deny the winger at the near post.Set pieces proved to be a potential avenue for both sides, with Moreno heading straight at the goalkeeper and Subham Bhattacharya missing narrowly, but neither side was able to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.ALSO READ | ISL 2025-26: New managers take centrestage in Bengaluru-Blasters clashThe tempo increased after the restart, with Odisha coming close to taking the lead around the hour mark. Rahim Ali’s intelligent run created space for Isak Vanlalruatfela, but the forward’s effort was well saved by Bob, who produced a crucial intervention to keep the scores level.FCG responded almost immediately and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a well-worked move. Ayush Chhetri delivered a precise ball over the top of the Odisha defence to find Drazic inside the box. A sliding challenge from Carlos Delgado deflected the ball back into Drazic’s path, and the forward showed quick reactions to calmly slot the ball past Amrinder and give the host a 1-0 lead.The host doubled its advantage in the 81st minute through a set piece.  Moreno stepped up to take a free kick from distance and struck a low effort through the wall, the ball taking a couple of bounces before nestling into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0.FCG sealed the result in stoppage time after Rabeeh was fouled inside the penalty area. Brison stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, placing his shot into the left corner to extend the lead to 3-0.Odisha managed to pull one back moments later when Edwin Vanspaul delivered a cross from the right, which was met by Suhair, who finished from close range to make it 3-1. But it was too late as the home side walked away with all three points.Published on Apr 10, 2026  #ISL #Secondhalf #goals #Goa #beat #Odisha

ISL 2025-26: Second-half goals help FC Goa beat Odisha 3-1

Second-half goals from Dejan Drazic, Pol Moreno and Brison Fernandes helped FC Goa secure a 3-1 victory over Odisha FC, which found a late consolation through Suhair VP, in their Indian Super League 2025-26 match at the PJN Stadium in Margao, on Friday.

The Gaurs returned to winning ways after a run of draws and a defeat, climbing to fifth in the standings with 13 points, while OFC slipped to 12th with five points.

The opening half was a measured contest, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Rahul KP was the most lively presence for the Juggernauts, testing the Goa defence with two early efforts, while the host found itself caught offside on multiple occasions as it attempted to build attacks.

Odisha continued to threaten from a distance, with Rahul forcing a save from debutant goalkeeper Bob Jackson, who showed composure between the posts. At the other end, Udanta Singh came close after a sharp run into the box, but Amrinder Singh stood firm to deny the winger at the near post.

Set pieces proved to be a potential avenue for both sides, with Moreno heading straight at the goalkeeper and Subham Bhattacharya missing narrowly, but neither side was able to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.

ALSO READ | ISL 2025-26: New managers take centrestage in Bengaluru-Blasters clash

The tempo increased after the restart, with Odisha coming close to taking the lead around the hour mark. Rahim Ali’s intelligent run created space for Isak Vanlalruatfela, but the forward’s effort was well saved by Bob, who produced a crucial intervention to keep the scores level.

FCG responded almost immediately and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a well-worked move. Ayush Chhetri delivered a precise ball over the top of the Odisha defence to find Drazic inside the box. A sliding challenge from Carlos Delgado deflected the ball back into Drazic’s path, and the forward showed quick reactions to calmly slot the ball past Amrinder and give the host a 1-0 lead.

The host doubled its advantage in the 81st minute through a set piece. Moreno stepped up to take a free kick from distance and struck a low effort through the wall, the ball taking a couple of bounces before nestling into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0.

FCG sealed the result in stoppage time after Rabeeh was fouled inside the penalty area. Brison stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, placing his shot into the left corner to extend the lead to 3-0.

Odisha managed to pull one back moments later when Edwin Vanspaul delivered a cross from the right, which was met by Suhair, who finished from close range to make it 3-1. But it was too late as the home side walked away with all three points.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#ISL #Secondhalf #goals #Goa #beat #Odisha

Second-half goals from Dejan Drazic, Pol Moreno and Brison Fernandes helped FC Goa secure a 3-1 victory over Odisha FC, which found a late consolation through Suhair VP, in their Indian Super League 2025-26 match at the PJN Stadium in Margao, on Friday.

The Gaurs returned to winning ways after a run of draws and a defeat, climbing to fifth in the standings with 13 points, while OFC slipped to 12th with five points.

The opening half was a measured contest, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Rahul KP was the most lively presence for the Juggernauts, testing the Goa defence with two early efforts, while the host found itself caught offside on multiple occasions as it attempted to build attacks.

Odisha continued to threaten from a distance, with Rahul forcing a save from debutant goalkeeper Bob Jackson, who showed composure between the posts. At the other end, Udanta Singh came close after a sharp run into the box, but Amrinder Singh stood firm to deny the winger at the near post.

Set pieces proved to be a potential avenue for both sides, with Moreno heading straight at the goalkeeper and Subham Bhattacharya missing narrowly, but neither side was able to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.

ALSO READ | ISL 2025-26: New managers take centrestage in Bengaluru-Blasters clash

The tempo increased after the restart, with Odisha coming close to taking the lead around the hour mark. Rahim Ali’s intelligent run created space for Isak Vanlalruatfela, but the forward’s effort was well saved by Bob, who produced a crucial intervention to keep the scores level.

FCG responded almost immediately and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a well-worked move. Ayush Chhetri delivered a precise ball over the top of the Odisha defence to find Drazic inside the box. A sliding challenge from Carlos Delgado deflected the ball back into Drazic’s path, and the forward showed quick reactions to calmly slot the ball past Amrinder and give the host a 1-0 lead.

The host doubled its advantage in the 81st minute through a set piece. Moreno stepped up to take a free kick from distance and struck a low effort through the wall, the ball taking a couple of bounces before nestling into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0.

FCG sealed the result in stoppage time after Rabeeh was fouled inside the penalty area. Brison stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, placing his shot into the left corner to extend the lead to 3-0.

Odisha managed to pull one back moments later when Edwin Vanspaul delivered a cross from the right, which was met by Suhair, who finished from close range to make it 3-1. But it was too late as the home side walked away with all three points.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

Source link
#ISL #Secondhalf #goals #Goa #beat #Odisha

Previous post

Deadspin | Without star Joel Embiid, Sixers set to visit Pacers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695330.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695330.jpg" alt="NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) talk with NBA referee Eric Dalen (37) during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images <!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>With an unfortunate development for star Joel Embiid looming over them, the Philadelphia 76ers will try to pull out of a three-game slide when they meet the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in Indianapolis. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Philadelphia (43-37) learned that the former NBA MVP needed an appendectomy on Thursday before the team faced the Houston Rockets. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“We had an unbelievable day as a team [on Wednesday]. We had a great practice, a great film session, we were getting up and down the court, and [Embiid] was a part of all of that,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Thursday. “That’s what hits you in the stomach a little bit when you get that news.” </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Without their standout center, who is out indefinitely, the Sixers lost 113-102 to the Rockets to fall into a virtual tie with the Charlotte Hornets for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Philadelphia and Charlotte both have clinched a postseason berth and have just two games remaining in the regular season as they jockey for postseason positioning. </p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Coming off lopsided losses at home to Detroit last Saturday and at San Antonio on Monday, the Sixers made a few late-game pushes after trailing the Rockets by as many as 28 points. Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored four of his 21 points during an 8-0 run that pulled Philadelphia within five points in the final two minutes before the team ran out of steam.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Edgecombe heads into the final weekend of the regular season having scored in double figures in 10 of the last 11 games, with Thursday marking his sixth game with at least 21 points in that stretch. Edgecombe’s play in March earned him the league Rookie of the Month. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Indiana (19-61) enters Friday’s matchup already doomed to the worst regular-season record in franchise history. Just one year removed from only the second NBA Finals appearance in their existence, the Pacers faced injury woes throughout the 2025-26 campaign. </p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Depleted Indiana pulled out of a three-game losing skid on Thursday, blowing out Brooklyn 123-94. Obi Toppin scored a season-high 26 points to help power Indiana to 80 points in the paint. </p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Toppin’s best outing since returning in late February from a 56-game absence due to a stress fracture in his right foot provides a glimmer of optimism for Indiana looking to turn the page to 2026-27. Another positive for the Pacers this week was the return of All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton to 5-on-5 activities. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Haliburton sustained an Achilles’ injury in last June’s seventh game of the NBA Finals vs. Oklahoma City, holding him out this entire season and setting the tone for Indiana’s woes. </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The rash of injuries plaguing the Pacers presented opportunities for other players to make a mark and perhaps position themselves well for the future. One such Pacer to capitalize, Jarace Walker, will close 2025-26 with career-best averages for scoring (11.6 points per game) and rebounding (5.2 per game). </p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Walker also is heading into the closing weekend off of a near-triple-double performance with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“Positional size in our league is something you always seek out,” Indiana assistant coach Lloyd Pierce said following Thursday’s win. “And Jarace has great size as a three [small forward]. Any time we can put him in [that] position, he can see the floor, but he also has the ability to pass over defenders.” </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #star #Joel #Embiid #Sixers #set #visit #Pacers

Next post

Deadspin | Padres continue series vs. Rockies after Xander Bogaerts slam: ‘It’s huge’ <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28698244.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28698244.jpg" alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) runs the bases after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>It would be hard to start a homestand in a more dramatic fashion than the San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts did Thursday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The veteran shortstop hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift the Padres to a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies in the opener of the teams’ four-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Bogaerts and host San Diego will aim for an encore on Friday night when they try to secure their sixth win in the past seven games.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“It’s huge, you know? I just tried to get a good swing on it, and it was probably my best swing of the year,” Bogaerts said of the team’s first walk-off slam since Manny Machado did it to the Texas Rangers in August 2020.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Padres spent much of Thursday night scuffling offensively against what lately has been a good Colorado pitching staff. They managed just five hits in the first nine innings before taking advantage of the automatic runner to score six runs in extra frames.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>That included Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th and Luis Campusano’s two-out RBI double in the 11th that extended the game, giving Bogaerts a chance to be the hero an inning later.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“Those guys are playing good ball, and we battled all night,” Bogaerts said. “Man, what a way to start a homestand.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>One byproduct of a 12-inning game is that both teams could use length from their starting pitchers on Friday. San Diego right-hander Walker Buehler (0-1, 9.45 ERA) hasn’t yet provided that, failing to make it past the fourth inning in his first two outings.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>He lasted only 2 2/3 innings Sunday during the team’s 8-6 win in Boston, giving up four runs and three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Buehler is 7-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 23 career games (19 starts) against the Rockies.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Colorado will counter with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 1.69 ERA), who’s coming off a 4-1 win Sunday against Philadelphia. Sugano sailed through six innings, allowing four hits and a run while walking one and striking out five. This will be his first career start against the Padres.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Rockies might be without catcher Hunter Goodman, their one All-Star last year, after he sustained lacerations on his right middle finger when he was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Randy Vasquez in the sixth inning Thursday night.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Goodman tried to stay in the game and run but walked off the field after seeing blood dripping off his finger. Manager Warren Schaeffer said X-rays were negative and hopes Goodman won’t miss much playing time.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Still, the Rockies have shown definite signs of improvement after a dreadful 2025. Their lineup appears deeper than last year, and the pitching staff has looked more than viable against some good lineups early.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Goodman credited Schaeffer for the early turnaround, which included a four-game winning streak before the loss on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“The vibe’s totally switched,” Goodman said. “The energy that (Schaeffer) brings every day just rubs off on us.” </p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Padres #continue #series #Rockies #Xander #Bogaerts #slam #huge

Deadspin | Twins bats come alive late to take down Jays in series opener  Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images   Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis.  Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins.  Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run.  Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two.  Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two.  Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14.  The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field.   Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games.  The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach.  Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1.  Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1.  Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell.  Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #openerApr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins.

Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run.

Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two.

Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14.


The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field.

Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games.

The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach.

Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1.

Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1.

Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell.

Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #opener">Deadspin | Twins bats come alive late to take down Jays in series opener  Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates after hitting a double off Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images   Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and an RBI, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night in Minneapolis.  Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which won the opener of a four-game series. Austin Martin, Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall drove in one run apiece for the Twins.  Daulton Varsho hit a solo homer for Toronto’s lone run.  Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1) limited the Blue Jays to one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out two.  Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2) allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out two.  Toronto opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Varsho belted a 397-foot solo shot over the wall in right field for his fourth homer of the season and his first since April 14.  The Twins responded to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, and Jeffers followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center field.   Buxton continued his power surge in the sixth. He led off the inning with a solo shot to left-center field that marked his eighth homer of the season and his fifth homer in the past nine games.  The blast by Buxton made it 3-1, and the Twins added another run in the sixth to seize a three-run lead. Martin ripped an RBI single to center to drive in Larnach.  Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the eighth to increase its advantage to 7-1.  Buxton started the big inning with a single to center. Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball that included a throwing error by Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and Bell capitalized moments later with a single to make it 6-1.  Keaschall capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Bell.  Twins relievers Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris and Justin Topa combined to pitch three scoreless innings to preserve the victory for Ober.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twins #bats #alive #late #Jays #series #opener

Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal on Thursday.

In a matchup of two teams hoping to revive former European glory, the win at the City Ground put Forest a step closer to what would be its first continental competition final in 46 years.

Wood fired his 71st-minute penalty high into the net, giving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez no chance to save after defender Lucas Digne was whistled for handball.

“It’s nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game,” the New Zealand striker told the TNT Sports. “But we’ve done the job here at home and now hopefully, we’ll build into next week.”

Vítor Pereira’s team stretched its unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Forest visits Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday before the semifinal second leg in Birmingham next Thursday.

Forest is in a relegation fight — currently five points above the Premier League drop zone. The winner of the Europa League title earns a spot in next season’s Champions League. That could create a scenario in which Forest gets relegated to England’s second division but also plays in Europe’s top club competition.

Forest has returned to Europe after 30 years to reach its fourth semifinal, but first since the 1984 UEFA Cup. That was after Forest dominated the European Cup — the predecessor of the Champions League — and won the trophy in 1979 and 1980. Villa became the European champion two years later.

Villa sits fifth in the Premier League and stands a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League domestically.

Villa coach Unai Emery has won the Europa League title four times — thrice with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.

In the other semifinal, Braga beat Freiburg 2-1 after substitute Mario Dorgeles netted the winner in second-half stoppage time in Portugal.

At 1-1, Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu denied Braga a golden opportunity to restore a lead by diving to his right to save a spot kick by Rodrigo Zalazar.

The Portuguese side hopes to advance to the final again after it lost to domestic rival Porto 1-0 in the 2011 title match.

The second legs are next Thursday and the final is in Istanbul on May 20.

In the third-tier Conference League, Ismaïla Sarr scored in the opening minute as Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the opening leg of their semifinal.

Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen also scored for Palace after Oleh Ocheretko had equalized for Shakhtar.

The game was played in Krakow, Poland, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second leg is next Thursday in London.

Rayo Vallecano beat Strasbourg 1-0 in the Thursday’s other semifinal.

The final is on May 27 in Leipzig, Germany.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Forest #beats #Villa #Europa #League #semifinal #firstleg #Palace #wins #Conference #League #leg">Forest beats Villa in Europa League semifinal first-leg; Palace wins Conference League away leg  Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal on Thursday.In a matchup of two teams hoping to revive former European glory, the win at the City Ground put Forest a step closer to what would be its first continental competition final in 46 years.Wood fired his 71st-minute penalty high into the net, giving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez no chance to save after defender Lucas Digne was whistled for handball.“It’s nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game,” the New Zealand striker told the        TNT Sports. “But we’ve done the job here at home and now hopefully, we’ll build into next week.”Vítor Pereira’s team stretched its unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Forest visits Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday before the semifinal second leg in Birmingham next Thursday.Forest is in a relegation fight — currently five points above the Premier League drop zone. The winner of the Europa League title earns a spot in next season’s Champions League. That could create a scenario in which Forest gets relegated to England’s second division but also plays in Europe’s top club competition.Forest has returned to Europe after 30 years to reach its fourth semifinal, but first since the 1984 UEFA Cup. That was after Forest dominated the European Cup — the predecessor of the Champions League — and won the trophy in 1979 and 1980. Villa became the European champion two years later.Villa sits fifth in the Premier League and stands a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League domestically.Villa coach Unai Emery has won the Europa League title four times — thrice with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.In the other semifinal, Braga beat Freiburg 2-1 after substitute Mario Dorgeles netted the winner in second-half stoppage time in Portugal.At 1-1, Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu denied Braga a golden opportunity to restore a lead by diving to his right to save a spot kick by Rodrigo Zalazar.The Portuguese side hopes to advance to the final again after it lost to domestic rival Porto 1-0 in the 2011 title match.The second legs are next Thursday and the final is in Istanbul on May 20.In the third-tier Conference League, Ismaïla Sarr scored in the opening minute as Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the opening leg of their semifinal.Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen also scored for Palace after Oleh Ocheretko had equalized for Shakhtar.The game was played in Krakow, Poland, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second leg is next Thursday in London.Rayo Vallecano beat Strasbourg 1-0 in the Thursday’s other semifinal.The final is on May 27 in Leipzig, Germany.Published on May 01, 2026  #Forest #beats #Villa #Europa #League #semifinal #firstleg #Palace #wins #Conference #League #leg

Post Comment