Fiorentina secured their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals, overcoming a resilient Raków Częstochowa side in a dramatic two-legged encounter that ended 4-2 on aggregate.

After taking control of the tie at home, the Italian side faced a stern test in Poland. Raków came out with intensity and purpose, and their pressure paid off early in the second half when Karol Struski found the net with a precise finish, levelling the aggregate score and reigniting belief among the home supporters.

But Fiorentina, showing composure and experience, gradually reasserted control. Their equaliser came through Roberto Piccoli, whose effort took a crucial deflection, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and swinging momentum back in favour of the visitors.

The closing stages were packed with drama. The referee initially awarded a penalty to Raków, a decision that could have turned the tie once again. However, after a VAR review, the call was overturned, and instead a booking was issued for simulation.

There was still time for one final twist. Deep into stoppage time, with Raków’s goalkeeper upfield for a last-ditch set-piece, Marin Pongracic seized his moment. From inside his own half, he launched the ball into an empty net, sealing the victory in spectacular fashion.

2025-26, Conference League

Raków - Fiorentina 1:2 (0:0)
Goals: Struski, 46 (1:0); Piccoli R., 68 (1:1); Pongracic, 90 (1:2)

Raków: Zych; Svarnas; Tudor (Mosor, 19); Racovițan; Repka; Ameyaw; Struski (Bulat M., 80); Jean Carlos (Adriano, 80); Makuch (Rocha L., 79); Ivi Lopez (Diaby M.L., 69); Brunes
Substitution: Mosor (from 19); Diaby M.L. (from 69); Rocha L. (from 79); Bulat M. (from 80); Adriano (from 80)
Bench: Trelowski; Arsenić; Ilenič; Mirčetić
Yellow Cards: Rocha L. 85; Brunes 86

Fiorentina: Christensen O.; Dodo (Pongracic, 88); Ranieri; Comuzzo; Parisi; Fazzini (Gosens, 61); Ndour; Fagioli (Mandragora, 90); Fabbian; Harrison (Gudmundsson A., 90); Kean M. (Piccoli R., 61)
Substitution: Gosens (from 61); Piccoli R. (from 61); Pongracic (from 88); Mandragora (from 90); Gudmundsson A. (from 90)
Bench: de Gea; Kospo; Kouadio; Balbo Luis
Yellow Cards: Dodo 71; Ndour 85; Pongracic 90