Brighton were left to accept a 0‑0 stalemate against a resilient Tromso side in the opening leg of their Conference League play‑off tie. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the season, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian outfit that was midway through its domestic campaign.
The result means that Brighton must now produce a decisive performance at the Amex Stadium in the return fixture next Thursday evening, aware that any victory will be sufficient to secure a place in the competition proper. Before the match, manager Fabian Hurzeler had warned that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury.
Rumours have also linked the player with a possible move to Manchester United, though the situation remains fluid. In the meantime, Brighton are gearing up for their opening Premier League encounter of the 2026/27 season, a home clash against Aston Villa that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 2 pm on Sunday. The game itself offered a handful of moments that hinted at what could have been.
In the 29th minute, Tromso goalkeeper Haugaard was called into action from distance as Brighton’s Rutter unleashed a powerful strike from about 25 yards. The keeper dove to his left, managing to push the ball wide for a corner.
Two minutes later, a corner delivered to Osman saw him chest the ball down before unleashing a volley, only for Haugaard to react swiftly and clear the danger, producing yet another corner. At the half‑time break, Tromso seemed to have a golden opportunity when a corner from Gross found Boscagli unmarked in the centre of the box. The defender rose to meet the ball but headed it over the bar, missing a chance that could have broken the deadlock. The first half concluded without any further clear‑cut chances, and both sides headed into the dressing rooms with the score level.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with both teams creating sporadic chances but failing to convert. In the 49th minute, Tromso launched a promising attack when Edvardsson’s ball found Heine Larsen in the box. The flag remained down, but Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen sprinted off his line to make a spectacular save, denying Tromso a lead. Five minutes later, Brighton’s Ayari began to assert himself, dribbling past two defenders before his shot was palmed away by the opposition keeper.
The Seagulls’ persistence paid off in the 75th minute when a well‑timed cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in the middle of the area. Kostoulas, who had come on as a substitute, headed the ball over the bar from an excellent position. In the final minutes, Tromso came close to turning the tide.
In the 86th minute, Vadebu found space after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic and entered the box cleanly, only to shoot wide of the target. The match ended without a goal, leaving both sides to reflect on what they could have done differently. After the final whistle, Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, stating: "We anticipated exactly how Tromso would set themselves up.
They were compact, defended well, and had a lot of bodies in the box to block shots. Their goalkeeper was outstanding, and they were efficient on the break." He continued, "We generated chances, but ultimately we have to be content with a draw, even though it isn’t the result we wanted. I believe we controlled large portions of the game, yet we lacked speed in possession.
We had a few opportunities, but Tromso defended admirably. They created two big chances on the transition, and we need to improve defensively in those moments. Overall, they are a tough opponent, which is exactly what we expected." Hurzeler added, "Now we look forward to the chance to win the match in front of our own supporters. There are specific areas we must refine against Tromso.
As I said, they are a quality football side, so we will have to perform at our highest level to secure victory at the Amex." The upcoming second leg will be crucial for Brighton. A win at home will see them progress to the group stage of the Conference League, while a draw could send the tie to extra time or penalties, depending on the aggregate score. The Seagulls will also be keen to maintain momentum heading into their Premier League opener against Aston Villa, a match that promises to be a test of their early‑season form. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports, and the club encourages supporters to download the Sky Sports App for real‑time updates, highlights, and exclusive content.
Additionally, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants have a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all viewers. In summary, Brighton’s first leg against Tromso was a tightly contested, goalless affair that highlighted both teams' defensive strengths and occasional attacking flair. While the Seagulls were unable to break the deadlock, the experience provides valuable insight into areas needing improvement, particularly in quick transitions and finishing. The stage is now set for a decisive second leg at the Amex, where Brighton will aim to capitalize on home advantage and secure a spot in the main draw of the Conference League, while also building confidence ahead of their Premier League campaign.