Brighton were left to accept a 0‑0 stalemate after a gritty performance against a resolute Tromsø side in the opening leg of their Conference League play‑off tie. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the campaign, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian outfit that was midway through its domestic season and seemed well‑organised defensively. The lack of a goal means that the second leg at the Amex Stadium next Thursday will be decisive.
A win on home soil will be sufficient for Brighton to progress to the group stage of the competition, so the pressure will be on manager Fabian Hurzeler and his players to convert the chances they created in Oslo into a decisive result. Ahead of the match, Hurzeler had warned that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury. Rumours have also linked the 22‑year‑old with a potential move to Manchester United, but for now he remains on Brighton’s books and will be expected to return for the upcoming Premier League fixtures. Speaking of those fixtures, the Seagulls will jump straight into the 2026/27 Premier League season after the European tie, hosting Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday with a 2 p.m.
kickoff on Sky Sports. The league debut will be a crucial test of the squad’s readiness after a pre‑season that has been relatively quiet. The match itself featured several moments of drama, despite the final scoreline. In the 29th minute, Tromsø goalkeeper Haugaard made a reflex save from distance after a long‑range strike by Rutter, forcing the ball wide with a quick reaction on his left.
Two minutes later, a corner fell to Brighton’s Osman, who controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful volley. Haugaard again proved his worth, tipping the effort out for a corner of his own.
Just before half‑time, a well‑delivered corner from Gross found Boscagli in the middle of the box. The defender, unmarked, headed the ball over the line, missing a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. The first half ended without a goal, and both sides retreated to the dressing rooms to regroup. The second half saw Tromsø threaten again in the 49th minute when a pass from Edvardsson found Heine Larsen inside the box.
Although the flag remained down, Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen sprinted off his line and made a spectacular save, preserving the clean sheet. Brighton’s midfielder Ayari began to assert himself in the 54th minute, dribbling past two challenges before his shot was palmed away by the keeper.
Later, in the 75th minute, a brilliant cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in a prime position. The striker headed the ball over the bar, a missed chance that could have shifted momentum. In the closing stages, Tromsø created a clear-cut opportunity when Vadebu, after a defensive lapse from Vuskovic, found himself one‑on‑one with the Brighton goal.
He kept his composure but ultimately sent his shot wide, leaving both sets of fans breathless. After the final whistle, Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, saying: "We anticipated exactly the way Tromsø set themselves up.
They were compact, defended as a unit and had a number of players crowding the box, making it difficult for us to find space. Their goalkeeper was also in top form and they transitioned quickly when they won the ball." He continued, "We generated opportunities, but ultimately we have to be content with a draw, even though it isn’t the result we were hoping for.
I believe we controlled large portions of the game, yet we lacked the quickness in possession that could have unlocked them. We had a few chances, but overall Tromsø defended well and produced two big chances of their own after quick transitions, which we need to defend better against.
They are a tough opponent, exactly as we expected." Looking ahead, Hurzeler added, "Now we are looking forward to the chance to win the game in front of our own fans. There are specific areas we must improve against Tromsø. Overall, as I said, they are a good football team, so we will need to perform at our highest level to secure a victory at the Amex." The upcoming second leg will therefore be a test of Brighton’s attacking intent and defensive resilience. If they can translate the possession and chances they displayed in Oslo into goals, they will likely advance.
Conversely, a repeat of the stalemate could see the tie go to extra time or penalties, a scenario the Seagulls will be eager to avoid. Fans can tune in to watch Brighton’s opening Premier League clash against Aston Villa live on Sky Sports on Sunday, with the kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. The club also encourages supporters to download the Sky Sports app for live updates and highlights. Finally, the broadcaster is running a Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million for free entry.
This promotion runs alongside the coverage of Brighton’s fixtures, adding an extra element of excitement for viewers.