Conference League Matchday 1: Brighton, Hajduk and Atalanta Lead Opening Night

Brighton begin with a commanding European victory

Brighton opened their 2026/27 Conference League campaign with a convincing 4–0 home victory over Kauno Žalgiris. Georginio Rutter scored twice and created another goal, providing the decisive attacking contribution against the Lithuanian visitors. Jack Hinshelwood added Brighton's second goal before half-time, while Matt O'Riley completed the scoring after the interval. Fabian Hürzeler's side dominated the match, repeatedly exploiting space in wide areas and combining effectively around the opposition penalty area. The performance gave Brighton three points and a four-goal advantage in goal difference at the start of a six-match league phase. Their next European fixture is away to Jablonec on 22 October, where the team will face a different challenge after such a comfortable opening performance.

Hajduk Split deliver the night's biggest surprise

Hajduk Split produced one of the most notable opening-round results, defeating Ajax 2–1 in Croatia. The hosts were competing in a UEFA competition league phase for the first time in 16 years and took the lead through Abdoulie Sanyang. Davy Klaassen equalised for Ajax after the interval, but Marin Šotiček restored Hajduk's advantage following an error in the visitors' defence. Ajax continued searching for a response, with Oscar Gloukh striking the crossbar, but the Croatian side protected their lead. The result was significant not only because of the opposition's reputation. It also demonstrated Hajduk's ability to respond after conceding and compete successfully at this level. For Ajax, the defeat creates an immediate need for improvement before their home match against Atalanta.

Atalanta and Copenhagen establish early momentum

Atalanta defeated Pafos 3–1 after a highly productive first half. Eljif Elmas opened the scoring inside the first minute, Giacomo Raspadori converted a penalty and Gianluca Scamacca made it 3–0 before the interval. Pafos reduced the deficit late through Biel but could not threaten a complete recovery. Copenhagen also made a confident start, beating Braga 3–0, while Trabzonspor recorded a 4–2 away victory against KuPS Kuopio. Monaco defeated CSKA Sofia 2–1, and Freiburg overcame Jablonec 3–2. These results highlighted the variety of teams capable of influencing a competition that brings together clubs from very different domestic environments.

What the opening results mean

Matchday 1 provided an early measure of performance, but the six-match league phase remains far from settled. Brighton have established a positive goal difference, while Atalanta and Copenhagen made effective starts through controlled attacking performances. Hajduk's victory over Ajax showed why the competition cannot be assessed only through club reputation. Ajax now face Atalanta on 22 October in one of the next round's most interesting fixtures. Hajduk travel to Thun, and Universitatea Craiova visit Inter Escaldes after opening their campaign with a draw against Getafe. The next matches will begin to reveal whether the strongest first-round performances are sustainable or whether teams can recover quickly from difficult beginnings.

Conference League Matchday 1: All 18 Results