Fiorentina secured a narrow victory over 10-man Club Brugge in the semi-final first leg thanks to M’Bala Nzola’s late goal in injury time.

Fiorentina secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Club Brugge in a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg, setting themselves up for a tense return match in Belgium next week.

The Italian side left it late to secure the win, with M’Bala Nzola emerging as the hero.

Fiorentina got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just five minutes thanks to a sensational curling strike from Riccardo Sottil. However, their joy was short-lived as Club Brugge equalized from the penalty spot, with captain Hans Vanaken calmly converting the spot-kick after a VAR check confirmed a handball by Fiorentina’s Cristiano Biraghi.

The heavy rain disrupted much of the first-half action, but Fiorentina managed to regain the lead late on through Andrea Belotti, who ended his 15-game goalless streak with an instinctive turn and finish.

The rain cleared during the break, and Fiorentina looked to extend their advantage in the second half, but Nordin Jackers in the Club Brugge goal denied them on multiple occasions.

The game took a dramatic turn when Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika received two yellow cards in quick succession, reducing his team to 10 men for the final 30 minutes. However, Club Brugge managed to equalize once again, as Igor Thiago capitalized on a long hopeful ball and applied a deft finish to score his 29th goal of the season.

Fiorentina threw everything they had at Club Brugge in the remaining minutes, and their persistence paid off in stoppage time. Substitute Nzola reacted quickest after hitting the post, tapping the ball into an empty net to secure the late victory for Fiorentina.

Club Brugge will feel hard done by after their heroic effort, but they will enter next week’s game with the knowledge that the tie is far from over.

On the other hand, Fiorentina will be relieved to have a lead to defend in Belgium next Wednesday, with the match set to be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.