FC Ballkani - Slavia Prague 0-1
The chase for top spot in UEFA Europa Conference League Group G will go right down to the wire, after Slavia Prague secured only their third win in 14 European away games, thanks to a 1-0 victory against the now-eliminated Ballkani that sets up a grandstand finale against Sivasspor next week.
With just three points separating the top-two from the bottom-two in Group G, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for Ballkani and Slavia Prague, who both needed a win to boost their qualification hopes.
The first notable chance of the evening fell the way of Slavia Prague, but when Yira Sor’s miscue fell kindly to Peter Olayinka six yards from goal, the Nigerian forward blazed his effort over to let Ballkani off the hook.
The first half was subdued overall, with neither side willing to go for broke in an increasingly drab affair that was quickly turning into the antithesis of the reverse clash - a 3-2 thriller won by Slavia back on matchday two.
That said, Ballkani almost forced the issue on the stroke of half-time, but Ermal Krasniqi’s curling effort drifted agonisingly wide. And those who had hoped for an improvement after the break were sorely disappointed, with David Jurásek’s dipping free-kick the only notable action in the first 25 second-half minutes.
Set pieces looked like they could be the deciding factor in this game, and Slavia again went close when Ewerton’s teasing delivery was flicked goalwards by Taras Kacharaba, but his header flashed across the face of goal with Slavia bodies throwing themselves at it.
And it was a corner of sorts from which Slavia broke the deadlock too, as Ballkani failed to clear their lines from Ewerton’s delivery, and when Jurasek recycled the initial delivery, Ondrej Lingr was on hand to head home Slavia’s opener – and eventual match winner.
From then on, it was very much plain sailing for Slavia Prague, who were untroubled in seeing out a fourth successive victory in all competitions and setting up an incredible matchday six scenario in Group G, where three teams could finish on ten points to claim a three-way share of top-spot.
As for Ballkani, their European race may be run, but in their search of a second successive Kosovan title, there may be relief on the domestic front.
Flashscore Man of the Match: David Jurasek (Slavia Prague)
Check out the stats from this tie with Flashscore.
Basel - Zalgiris 2-2
Mathias Oyewusi scored a brace to help FK Zalgiris come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with FC Basel in Switzerland. Despite mounting a sensational comeback, the visitors remain in fourth place, while the Swiss side are three points better off in second position.
Basel managed to claim a narrow 1-0 victory when the two sides met in Lithuania just over a month ago. On that occasion, the Swiss side had to wait until after the hour mark to score the winning goal, but they were in no mood to play the waiting game in front of their home support.
Within the opening two minutes, the ball fell into the path of Andy Diouf, who produced a thunderous long-range effort that set Basel on their way.
After witnessing his teammate produce the spectacular, Andi Zeqiri doubled Basel’s advantage in the 18th minute, after he smartly controlled the ball with his left foot before firing home with his right.
The hosts continued to dominate and looked in complete control of proceedings, but Marwin Hitz gifted Zalgiris a lifeline shortly before the break, when he allowed Oyewusi to charge down his attempted clearance, which rebounded into the awaiting net.
With momentum in their favour, Zalgiris boss Vladimir Cheburin attempted to capitalise by introducing Francis Kyeremeh at half-time.
The substitute waited until just after the hour mark to make his impact when his piercing through-ball found Mathias Oyewusi, who directed his accurate shot beyond Hitz.
The Zalgiris leveller set up an intriguing finish, where both teams were desperate to win, but the risk of defeat in a close-knit group resulted in late clear-cut chances being limited.
As a result of the draw, Basel head into the final matchday knowing a point will secure them a place in the knockout rounds, while the visitors will need to beat Slovan Bratislava to stand any chance of advancing.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mathias Oyewusi (Zalgiris)
Check out the stats with Flashscore.
Elsewhere in Europe
Although both sides playing in Group A's late game were out of the competition before a ball had been kicked, Hearts left the happier as they picked up a 2-1 victory against RFS - their first win of the group stage.
West Ham remained the dominant force in Group B, beating a stubborn Silkeborg 1-0 - Manuel Lanzini scoring the winner.
Dnipro-1 earned themselves an historic victory over Apollon to secure their spot in the next round of the competition from Group E. Oleksandr Pikhalyonok scored the only of the game six minutes before the break, sending his Ukranian side to a 1-0 success.
Djugarden cemented top spot in Group F after seeing off Norwegian neigbours Molde in a five-goal thriller. The Swedish side came from 2-0 down with Haris Radetinac netting their third goal in the 77th minute for a impressive 3-2 victory. Elsewhere in Group F, Shamrock Rovers and Gent played out a 1-1 draw, which keeps the Belgian side in with a sniff of the knockout rounds.
In one of the tightest groups in the competition - Group G - saw Sivasspor qualify after they beat CFR Cluj 3-0 thanks to a Mustafa Yatabare brace and a strike from Max Gradel. Cluj and Slavia Prague both sit on seven points, knowing they need to outperform the other to progress into the next round.
Group H still has some drama left to play out next week, with all four teams still able to qualify. Slovan Bratislava did their bit, beating Pyunik Yerevan 2-1, knowing a point in their next game should be enough to see them through.
