KAA Gent clinches 0‑1 win in Göteborg ahead of Conference League return

KAA Gent defeated IFK Göteborg 0‑1 in the first leg of the Conference League third‑round qualifier at Gamla Ullevi. The winning goal came from a deflected shot by Hyllarion Goore. Coach Rik De Mil praised the team's ball dominance in the first half but said the side must be more efficient in front of goal, noting that “we were dominant with the ball, but we should have scored more.” He also warned that a 0‑1 lead is never safe in Europe. After the match a false fire alarm caused a brief evacuation of the players, adding a moment of tension. The Buffalos have now gone 270 minutes without conceding a goal and will travel to Belgium for the return leg. In the meantime, Gent face KV Mechelen in the Jupiler Pro League, with De Mil planning squad rotation given the short 64‑hour turnaround. IFK Göteborg captain August Erlingmark described Gent as a “skithus” after the loss, highlighting the physical challenge posed by the Belgian side.