UECL | Rakow 1-2 Fiorentina (2-4 agg): Clinical Viola earn comeback victory
UECL | Rakow 1-2 Fiorentina (2-4 agg): Clinical Viola earn comeback victory Fiorentina are through to the Conference League quarter-finals after Cher Ndour’s deflected effort and a Marin Pongracic goal from his own half beat Rakow. They will face either Crystal Palace or AEK Larnaca, as that Round of 16 tie is going to extra time. The Viola had a slender 2-1 first leg lead thanks to the last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty in this Round of 16.
Moise Kean returned from injury for his first start since March 2, with Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey injured. Rakow finished second in the league phase of the tournament and won the Polish title in 2023, but again left top scorer Lamine Diaby-Fadiga initially on the bench. See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Kean made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left after three minutes for two shots charged down from close range by Stratos Svarnas. Ivi Lopez tested Oliver Christensen with a free kick at the near post, but the hosts lost Fran Tudor to injury after just 19 minutes.
When Lopez pulled back from the by-line for Jonatan Braut Brunes, the finish from six yards was charged down by Giovanni Fabbian. Nicolò Fagioli floated a ball over the top for Kean to volley straight at the goalkeeper, then the midfielder went for goal himself on a Fabiano Parisi cross on the stroke of half-time, forcing a save under the crossbar. Within 22 seconds of the restart, Rakow had taken the lead on the night, drawing level on aggregate 2-2.
Karol Struski cut inside Cher Ndour from the left and drilled hard and low into the near bottom corner, surprising Christensen. FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Svarnas threw himself in the way of a Giovanni Fabbian strike, with Ndour nodded over from the resulting corner.