St Mirren’s Europa dream came crashing down when they suffered a heartbreak with two late Brann goals in a 3-1 defeat in Bergen.
Just a week ago, the first leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie saw them pull off a last-minute draw, igniting hopes for the return game in Norway.
The return game at the rain-drenched Brann Stadion began with Joachim Soltvedt giving the home team an early advantage. St Mirren, however, fought back, leveling the score in the 74th minute with a header from substitute Alex Iacovitti.
But Brann found their footing in the 85th minute, securing a third goal and sealing a 4-2 aggregate win.
After a 37-year absence from European football, St Mirren had shown promise by overcoming Icelandic team Valur in the previous round. However, the Norwegian side proved to be a formidable adversary.
The match was a physical and intense contest, with both teams showing moments of brilliance. St Mirren displayed signs of strength, with Shaun Rooney coming close to scoring early on and showing resilience after falling behind.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Norwegian side emerged victorious, drawing the curtain on St Mirren’s European aspirations.
The defeat followed several changes to the St Mirren lineup, including the return of Alex Gogic and Caolan Boyd-Munce from injury, along with three alterations from their previous game against Aberdeen.
The game showcased determination and resilience from both sides, but ultimately it was Brann who emerged as the stronger force, setting their sights on the next stage of the competition.
While St Mirren may have fallen short in this European campaign, their return to the continental stage after nearly four decades was a remarkable accomplishment. As they regroup and shift their focus to domestic competitions, their fans will undoubtedly take pride in their efforts on the European front.
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