The New Saints put up a valiant fight before succumbing to a 2-0 loss against Fiorentina on a historic night in Italy. TNS made history as the first Welsh league club to progress past the qualifying rounds of a UEFA competition, and their inaugural Conference League group match presented a challenging trip to Florence. Fiorentina, runners-up in the past two seasons, took 65 minutes to breach TNS's defense, with Yacine Adli scoring before Moise Kean, formerly of Everton, added a quick second. Connor Roberts was a busy man in the TNS goal, making a fine save to deny Christian Kouamé in the 10th minute. Roberts also blocked a shot from Lucas Beltrán at the near post, and the visitors were fortunate when Rolando Mandragora's effort struck the post before halftime. Fiorentina dominated possession, and Roberts was finally beaten 20 minutes into the second half when Adli capitalized on a ricochet to find the bottom corner. The game was sealed for Fiorentina four minutes later as Matías Moreno's shot deflected into Kean's path, allowing him to tap in after Roberts' initial save. TNS's only real chance came in the 75th minute when Declan McManus nearly turned in Joshua Daniels's cross, while Roberts kept the score at 2-0 with further saves from Kean and Amir Richardson. TNS's next European outing is at home later this month against Astana.
In a historic night for Larne, they became the first Irish Premiership team to play in a European group stage, but their debut ended in a 3-0 defeat away at Norwegian side Molde. Meanwhile, Scottish side Hearts secured their first win of the season with a last-gasp goal from Yan Dhanda against Dinamo Minsk in Azerbaijan. Hearts had been winless in their last 10 matches but equalized with an own goal before Dhanda's late header secured victory. In the Europa League, Lazio, Anderlecht, and Steaua Bucharest maintained their perfect records. Lazio defeated Nice 4-1, Anderlecht won 2-1 away at Real Sociedad, and Steaua Bucharest held on for a 1-0 win over PAOK despite playing with 10 men. Ajax were also reduced to 10 men in a 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague, while Athletic Club beat AZ Alkmaar 2-0. Fenerbahce drew 1-1 with Twente, and Roma suffered a 1-0 defeat to Elfsborg. Hoffenheim won 2-0 against Dynamo Kyiv, and Conference League holders Olympiakos secured a 3-0 victory over Braga. Eintracht Frankfurt won 3-1 away at Besiktas, and there were goalless draws between Union Saint-Gilloise and Bodø/Glimt, and Viktoria Plzen and Ludogorets.
