Chelsea inched closer to securing a spot in the Conference League last 16 with a commanding 2-0 win against Heidenheim, continuing their flawless run in the competition. Second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk ensured victory in a match that showcased Chelsea’s clinical finishing and resilience under pressure.
Nkunku opened the scoring shortly after the interval with a strike that demonstrated his sharp instincts and precision. A cut-back from Jadon Sancho set him up to find the far corner, marking his 11th goal of the season. Heidenheim, however, refused to make it easy for Chelsea. The Bundesliga underdogs, led by long-serving manager Frank Schmidt, tested the visitors’ defense repeatedly. Filip Jörgensen delivered an excellent performance in goal, denying both Léo Scienza and Paul Wanner with crucial saves to keep Chelsea in control.
Despite Heidenheim’s spirited efforts, Chelsea sealed the win in the closing minutes. Mudryk latched onto a low cross from Sancho, sending a stunning, rising shot into the top corner to secure the three points. However, the match ended on a sour note for Chelsea as Cesare Casadei received a stoppage-time red card.
Elsewhere, Hearts faced disappointment in Belgium, falling 2-0 to Cercle Brugge. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland’s frustrating season continued as he missed a late penalty that could have leveled the match. Shankland, who has struggled for form this season, sent his shot over the bar after a handball by Edgaras Utkus granted Hearts the spot-kick. Cercle Brugge capitalized on defensive lapses, taking the lead in the first half through Malamine Efekele’s mis-hit effort and doubling it in stoppage time when Gary Magnée’s deflected shot found the net.
The loss leaves Hearts with six points from four games, with challenging fixtures against Copenhagen and Petrocub still to come. Despite glimpses of promise, Hearts face a tough road to the knockout stages.
The New Saints (TNS) endured a setback in their campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Djurgården in Shrewsbury. Tobias Gulliksen’s first-half strike proved decisive, as the Welsh champions struggled to create meaningful opportunities. Djurgården dominated possession and limited TNS’s chances, leaving the hosts with a steep climb to extend their European journey. Matches against Panathinaikos and Celje await TNS, who need strong results to keep their hopes alive.
In Austria, Shamrock Rovers continued their impressive Conference League form with a 1-1 draw against Rapid Vienna. The Irish side, unbeaten in the competition, demonstrated resilience after falling behind early to Nenad Cvetkovic’s opener. A well-timed cross from Josh Honohan set up Johnny Kenny for the equalizer, and Shamrock Rovers even threatened to snatch victory late on. Their disciplined performance earned a valuable point, maintaining their momentum in the group.
Larne, however, faced heartbreak in Slovenia, losing 1-0 to Olimpija Ljubljana in a match that saw them reduced to 10 men. Ivan Durdov’s header from a corner broke the deadlock midway through the second half, and Sean Graham’s late red card compounded Larne’s woes. Without a win in four European matches, Larne’s hopes of progression appear slim, while Olimpija boosted their qualification chances.
The latest round of fixtures highlighted contrasting fortunes for teams across the Conference League, with Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers building on strong starts while others face uphill battles to secure their places in the knockout stages.
