Hibernian secured a significant 2-0 victory against Partizan Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the Conference League, thanks to two goals from Socceroos star Martin Boyle. The match, held at Partizan’s home ground, was particularly notable as it coincided with Hibernian’s 150th anniversary celebrations. This win places Hibernian in a strong position as they head into the return leg at Easter Road next Thursday.
In a match that shifted dramatically after the 34th minute, Partizan’s Vukasin Durdevic received a red card for a second yellow offense, leaving the Serbian side with ten men. The decision came after Durdevic fouled Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie as he attempted to break free. This moment marked a turning point, allowing Hibernian to seize control of the game.
Boyle opened the scoring with his 100th goal for Hibernian in the 40th minute. He capitalized on a flick-on from Warren O’Hora following a corner taken by Jordan Obita, finishing emphatically from close range. The goal not only highlighted Boyle’s importance to the team but also provided a morale boost just before halftime.
The second half saw Hibernian extend their lead. In the 67th minute, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review led to a penalty being awarded after Bowie was fouled in the area. Boyle stepped up and successfully converted the penalty, marking his 101st goal for the club. This goal further solidified Hibernian’s dominance in the match and left their travelling supporters celebrating one of the club’s most memorable European away wins in years.
As the tie progresses, Hibernian’s next challenge will be to maintain their advantage in the return leg. Should they succeed, they will face a playoff against the loser of the Europa League qualifier between AEK Larnaca and Legia Warsaw, with Larnaca currently leading 4-1 after their first leg.
In other Conference League matches, Tammy Abraham scored a first-half hat-trick as Besiktas cruised to a 4-1 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic in Dublin. Abraham, who joined Besiktas from Roma this summer, opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in, followed by a neat finish and a penalty just before the break.
Meanwhile, Dundee United drew 2-2 away at Rapid Vienna, leaving their tie delicately balanced ahead of the second leg. A late goal from Rapid’s Louis Schaub was disallowed for offside, ensuring that United still have a chance to progress.
In the ongoing Europa League third qualifying round, there were mixed results for teams competing. Panathinaikos and Shakhtar Donetsk played to a 0-0 draw, while PAOK also finished level at home against Wolfsberg. Danish side Midtjylland emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Fredrikstad, and Braga triumphed 2-1 against Cluj in Romania.
As the competition heats up, Hibernian’s performance has set a promising tone for their European campaign. The club’s supporters will be eagerly anticipating the return leg at Easter Road, hoping for continued success in their historic season.
