Brighton’s opening competitive match of the season ended in a 0‑0 stalemate against a resilient Tromso side in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off. The Seagulls, who were expected to dominate, found themselves working hard for every ball against a Norwegian team that was in the middle of its domestic campaign and eager to prove a point at the Amex Stadium. From the first whistle, Brighton appeared slightly sluggish, as if still shaking off the pre‑season rust. Tromso, on the other hand, set up a compact defensive block, crowding the box and forcing the visitors into long‑range attempts.

The Seagulls generated a handful of clear‑cut chances, but the combination of a well‑organised back line and an alert goalkeeper meant nothing found the back of the net. The match narrative was punctuated by a series of dramatic saves and near‑misses that kept the spectators on edge.

In the 29th minute, Tromso’s goalkeeper, Haugaard, made a spectacular reflex save from a 25‑yard strike by Brighton’s Rutter. The ball was tipped wide as the keeper dove to his left, showcasing his agility. Just a minute later, a corner awarded to Tromso was headed down by Osman, who struck a powerful volley. Haugaard again displayed quick reactions, smothering the effort and forcing another corner for the home side.

The first half continued with Brighton pressing but failing to break the deadlock. In injury time of the half, a corner delivered by Gross found Boscagli unmarked in the middle of the penalty area. The defender rose to meet the ball but headed it over the bar, missing a golden opportunity to give the Seagulls a lead before the break.

The second half saw Tromso threaten on the counter‑attack. In the 49th minute, a swift pass from Edvardsson found Heine Larsen in a dangerous position. Although the flag remained down, Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen sprinted off his line and made a crucial stop, preserving the clean sheet for his side.

Midway through the hour mark, Brighton’s Ayari began to assert himself. He dribbled past two defenders before his shot was comfortably palmed away by the Tromso keeper, highlighting the Norwegian’s dominance in goal.

Later, in the 75th minute, a superb cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in the centre of the box. Kostoulas, who had come on as a substitute, headed the ball over the bar from an excellent position, adding to the list of missed chances. As the clock ticked towards the final minutes, Tromso’s Vadebu found space after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic.

He cut inside and took a clean shot, only to see it sail wide of the post, a moment that could have swung the tie in their favour. After the final whistle, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, acknowledging that the result was not what they had hoped for but also recognising Tromso’s disciplined performance.

He said, "We expected exactly how Tromso played. They defended well, very compact. They had a lot of players in their box who blocked the shots well, and they had a really good goalkeeper and were good in transition." Hurzeler added that Brighton had created opportunities but needed to be more efficient, stating, "We created opportunities, but in the end we have to be satisfied with a draw, although it's not the result we hoped for.

I think we controlled the game, but we weren't quick enough in possession. We still had a few opportunities, but I think overall Tromso defended well. They had two big chances after transition moments where we have to defend better.

Overall a tough opponent, which is what we expected." Looking ahead, Hurzeler emphasized the importance of the upcoming second leg at the Amex, noting that a win would be sufficient to see Brighton through to the group stage. He highlighted areas for improvement, especially in transition defense and attacking efficiency, and urged his squad to raise their level in front of their own supporters. The Seagulls also have a busy schedule beyond the European fixture. Their first Premier League match of the 2026/27 campaign is set for Sunday, when they host Aston Villa at 2 pm, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

This domestic clash will serve as a crucial test of the team’s readiness after the mixed performance in Europe. In summary, Brighton left the first leg without a goal but with a solid defensive foundation. Tromso’s compact shape and excellent goalkeeping kept the visitors at bay, while the Seagulls demonstrated moments of creativity that unfortunately did not translate into a scoreline. The return fixture promises to be decisive, with Brighton needing to convert their chances and capitalize on home advantage to progress in the Conference League.

Fans can look forward to an exciting second leg on Thursday night, where the stakes will be high and the opportunity to advance to the competition’s main draw hangs in the balance.