Robin Gosens scored two goals for Fiorentina, but missed the final with the Viola. © ANSA / CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

No title again: Fiorentina on the ground

Fiorentina narrowly missed the Conference League final, losing to Real Betis in extra time.

08 May 2025

From: dl

Fiorentina recently reached the Conference League final twice in a row, losing both finals under coach Vincenzo Italiano. Even successor Raffaele Palladino can't give the fans the long-awaited title. Fiorentina could only manage a 2-2 draw after extra time in the second leg at home against Real Betis. The Spanish side had won the first leg 2-1 a week ago.

Betis will face Chelsea FC in the Conference League final on May 28 in Wroclaw. The Londoners easily defeated Rapid's conquerors Djurgaarden Stockholm in the semifinals and, following their 4-1 away victory, also won the return leg 1-0 on Thursday. The second semifinal, between Fiorentina and Betis Sevilla, went into extra time.

Betis Sevilla eliminated Fiorentina after extra time. © ANSA / CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Chelsea, with 16-year-old Reggie Walsh in their starting lineup for the first time, controlled the match against the Swedish underdogs and won thanks to a goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 38th minute. Chelsea could thus become the first club to win the Champions League (2012, 2021) and Europa League (2013, 2019), as well as the Conference League.

All-English duel in the Europa League

The Europa League final in Bilbao will feature an all-English clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. In the last four, Manchester United beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1, having already won the first leg 3-0. Frankfurt's quarter-final opponents, Tottenham, followed up their 3-1 first leg with a 2-0 victory in the return leg against Norwegian football club FK Bodo/Glimt.

Manchester United is in the Europa League final. © APA/afp / OLI SCARFF

Bilbao initially had hope for a miracle. Mikel Jaureguizar (31st minute) skillfully curled the ball into the net to give the visitors a long-lasting lead. Only after the break did coach Ruben Amorim's team turn the game around thanks to goals from Mason Mount (72nd/90th+1), Casemiro (80th), and striker Rasmus Höjlund (85th). After 2021 (10-11 on penalties against Villarreal) and 2017 (2-0 against Ajax Amsterdam), Manchester United are in the Europa League final for the third time.

Spurs won the UEFA Cup in 1972 and 1984 and are now in with a chance to triumph in its successor, the Europa League, for the first time. For Tottenham, Dominic Solanke (63') and Pedro Porro (69') sealed the deal after just over an hour of play.

Europa League: The semi-finals

Bodo/Glimt – Tottenham 0:2
0:1 Solanke (63rd), 0:2 Porro 69th)
First leg 1:3 – Tottenham in the final

Manchester United – Athletic Club 4:1
0:1 Jaurezigar (31'), 1:1 Mount (72'), 2:1 Casemiro (80'), 3:1 Hojlund (85'), Mount (91')
First leg: 3-0 – Manchester United in the final

Conference League: The semifinals

Chelsea – Djurgård 1:0
1-0 Dewsbury Hall (38')
First leg: 4-1 – Chelsea in the final

Fiorentina – Betis Sevilla 2:2nV
0:1 Antony (30th), 1:1 Gosens (34th), 2:1 Gosens (42nd), 2:2 Ezzalzouli (97th)
First leg: 1:2 – Betis in the final