Kilmarnock Knocked Out of UEFA Conference League by Copenhagen’s 3-1 Aggregate Victory
Kilmarnock vs Copenhagen: UEFA Conference League Exit Confirmed After Own Goal
After a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park against Copenhagen, Kilmarnock’s UEFA Conference League campaign came to an end, culminating in a 3-1 aggregate loss. Killie gave it their all, and even though Marley Watkins scored a goal, they were unable to overcome their first-leg deficit.
Kilmarnock’s UEFA Conference League elimination was completed by an own goal by Lewis Mayo while attempting to cut out a pass from Danish team Copenhagen; Marley Watkins had equalized in the 16th minute.
Killie’s manager, Derek McInnes, urged his team to create the second leg the “biggest nightmare” for the visitors after Killie fell 2-0 in their play-off first leg last week.
The host team’s goal survived the first half primarily because of ‘keeper Kieran O’Hara, but striker Marley Watkins gave the Danish team a scare in front of 8,083 spectators in the 16th minute.
But in the 67th minute, defender Lewis Mayo’s own goal proved to be too much for the Ayrshire team as he attempted to cut away an Elias Achouri cross.
Killie was unable to reply, but they made a commendable effort in their match against the more inventive Danish team, who competed in the Champions League the previous year.
Before the match, McInnes had a boost when defender Stuart Findlay made his 200th appearance for Kilmarnock, defender Joe Wright returned from suspension, and captain Kyle Vassell was deemed fit to start.
In the fourteenth minute, ‘keeper Nathan Trott’s long ball found Achouri wide on the left, and his first-time pass set up 18-year-old attacker Victor Froholdt, who narrowly missed the goal. Copenhagen should have taken the lead.
After Danny Armstrong lofted a free kick into the penalty area, Findlay headed against the post before Watkins scored from two yards out. The Killie supporters cheered even louder when a lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal.
The goal jarred Copenhagen into action, but the home team held off intense pressure until David Watson replaced injured midfielder Liam Donnelly and Trott made saves from Vassell and Armstrong.
Copenhagen returned with greater threat, and in the 34th minute, O’Hara’s incredible save kept captain Viktor Claesson from scoring a header from close range after he was set up by former Celtic forward Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Defender Denis Vavro’s long-range drive went beyond of O’Hara’s left-hand post before dropping behind, and full-back Kevin Diks’ volley was also stopped by the goalkeeper of the highest caliber, but Killie managed to go into halftime with their goal intact.
Five minutes after the restart, Vassell’s angled drive was blocked by Trott’s foot after another Killie set-piece, but the home team quickly found themselves back on the defensive as O’Hara had to make a save from Vavro’s low drive from 25 yards out as they defended another corner.
But as substitute Orri Oskarsson was about to score, unfortunate Mayo could only knock Achouri’s pass high into his own net, giving Copenhagen the equalizer.
Killie was dealt a terrible blow, and moments later, Elyounoussi, who was unmarked, headed a cross from Lukas Lerager off the bar.
Killie persisted, but Copenhagen, supported by 201 tenacious supporters, managed to hold onto the tie and secure their spot in the group stage.
