Mohamed Salah inspires Trabzonspor to victory over Hearts

Trabzonspor moved to the brink of the top of the UEFA Conference League with a 2-0 win over Hearts, as Mohamed Salah scored one goal and created another in Wednesday’s second-round fixture.

Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Trabzonspor were awarded a penalty for a foul inside the area. The Egypt forward sent a powerful effort to the goalkeeper’s right to give the Turkish side the lead before half-time.

Trabzonspor continued to apply pressure after the interval and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. Salah supplied the decisive pass into the penalty area, where Frankolino controlled the opportunity and finished to put the hosts firmly in command.

Salah left the pitch in the 71st minute after a prominent display, with Ozan Tufan coming on in his place. His contribution included the opening goal and the assist for Trabzonspor’s second.

The result gives Trabzonspor six points from two consecutive victories. They are third in the Conference League standings, behind leaders Lugano on goal difference. Trabzonspor have scored six goals and conceded two, giving them a goal difference of +4.

Hearts remain on one point from a draw and a defeat. The Scottish club are 23rd in the table, having scored once and conceded three goals for a goal difference of -2.

Trabzonspor were dealt a late setback when defender Sidney Lopez Cabral was shown a red card in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He will miss the club’s next Conference League match against German side Freiburg.

Elsewhere, Jablonec and Brighton played out a goalless draw in the Czech Republic.

Brighton had the better of the match in general terms but could not turn that advantage into a goal during the 90 minutes. Both teams therefore collected one point, with Brighton moving to four points and fifth place in the competition standings, keeping them among the leading sides competing for direct qualification.

Panathinaikos produced the biggest win of the evening, beating hosts Kairat Almaty 5-1 in Kazakhstan.

Vicente Taborda opened the scoring for the Greek side in the sixth minute. Cyril Dessers then struck twice, converting a penalty in the 24th minute before scoring again two minutes after half-time.

Kings Kangwa added Panathinaikos’ fourth in the 57th minute, while Elmin Rastoder completed the rout in the 75th. Ismail Bekbolat scored Kairat Almaty’s consolation goal four minutes later.