Conference League: West Ham, Fiorentina, Sivasspor, AZ, Dnipro-1 through to next round
Fiorentina, Sivasspor, AZ and Dnipro-1 all made sure of a top-two finish in their respective groups on Matchday 5 as the penultimate stages of the Uefa Europa Conference League came to a close.
Here is a round up of all the action.
West Ham 1-0 Silkeborg
West Ham ensured top spot in Group B and passage to the round of 16 with a comfortable win over Silkeborg. Manuel Lanzini tucked in a penalty midway through the first half after Michail Antonio was fouled in the box by keeper Nicolai Larsen. The Danes might have lost by more but need only a point in their final group game at home to Anderlecht next Thursday to ensure they progress to the knockout round play-offs as runners-up.
Key stat: West Ham’s seventh consecutive victory in European competition is a club record.
Fiorentina 2-1 Istanbul Başakşehir
Luka Jović scored twice as Fiorentina came from behind to confirm their place in the top two of Group A. Danijel Aleksić’s cool finish put the visitors ahead, but Jović converted Christian Kouamé’s low cross to restore parity before half-time. The Serbian striker completed the turnaround with a powerful header after visiting goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer had parried Kouamé’s effort into his path.
Key stat: Jović has now scored four goals in his last three UEFA Europa Conference League appearances
Ballkani 0-1 Slavia Praha
Ondřej Lingr scored the only goal as Slavia ensured the intriguing Group G will go down to the wire. Lingr’s diving header after the home side failed to clear a corner 14 minutes from time went in despite the best efforts of Bajram Jashanica as Slavia eliminated their hosts. With Sivasspor beating CFR Cluj, there is a possibility that all of the top three end the section tied on ten points next week.
Key stat: Ballkani were the first Kosovan team to compete in a group stage but will not be able to progress any further.
Due to adverse weather conditions, the match between Slovácko and Köln was suspended until 13:00 CET Friday. The score was 0-0 at the time.
Villarreal, winners of Group C before Matchday 5, dropped points for the first time as they were held by Hapoel Beer-Sheva, who have drawn four of their five matches.
AZ Alkmaar and Dnipro-1 both secured top two spots in Group E and will face off next week in the Netherlands to decide which of them wins the group and advances straight to the round of 16.
All the Matchday 5 results
Group A: Fiorentina 2-1 İstanbul Başakşehir, Hearts 2-1 RFSl
Group B: Anderlecht 2-2 FCSB, West Ham 1-0 Silkeborg
Group C: Villarreal 2-2 Hapoel Beer-Sheva, Austria Wien 1-1 Lech
Group D: Slovácko A-A Köln, Nice 2-1 Partizan
Group E: Vaduz 1-2 AZ Alkmaar, Dnipro-1 1-0 Apollon Limassol
Group F: Molde 2-3 Djurgården, Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Gent
Group G: Ballkani 0-1 Slavia Praha, Sivasspor 3-0 CFR Cluj
Group H: Basel 2-2 Žalgiris, Slovan Bratislava 2-1 Pyunik
