Beltran sends Fiorentina into the Europa Conference League final

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BRUGGE, Belgium, May 9, (AP): A late penalty from Lucas Beltran that rewarded Fiorentina’s intense pressing ensured the Italian team progressed to the Europa Conference League final for the second straight year with an aggregate 4-3 win over Club Brugge.

Fiorentina, which hit the woodwork three times and was the better team in the second half, is now unbeaten in its last 13 European matches.
Beltran’s goal secured a 1-1 draw after Brugge captain Hans Vanaken put the hosts in front with a first-half goal to level the tie. Fiorentina had prevailed 3-2 in the first leg in Italy.

“It is extraordinary, we wanted this final and we proved it in a resounding second half despite the curse of the posts,” Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano said. “The boys brought out a great personality that is needed in these matches, here it was bedlam.”

Club Brugge was in control early on at the Jan Breydel stadium. Playing in front of the backline, Ghana international Denis Odoi was excellent in mastering the midfield with Vanaken as Fiorentina players were pegged back in their half and defended with pugnacity.

Brugge found an opening in the 20th minute when Vanaken delivered a precise cross for Maxim De Cuyper in the box. The defender tried to head the ball home but could not connect with it, and it went straight into the back of the net.
Brugge suddenly lost its focus after scoring and allowed Fiorentina to kickstart its match with a series of chances.

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