Via nytimes.com
Motherwell defeats Helsinki to set up Freiburg clash in UEFA Conference League qualifiers
Ibrahim Said's brace sends the Scottish side through as they prepare for a daunting playoff tie against Bundesliga opposition
Motherwell are through to the UEFA Conference League playoff round after seeing off HJK Helsinki across two legs, booking a date with SC Freiburg.
Ibrahim Said proved the difference maker in the decisive second leg at Fir Park on August 13, 2026, scoring twice to send the Lanarkshire club into the next stage.
How Motherwell got here
The first leg on August 6 in Helsinki ended 1-1. Teemu Pukki opened the scoring for the hosts. Motherwell responded through Tawanda Maswanhise, who converted from the penalty spot to ensure the Scottish side brought a level aggregate back to Fir Park.
Said hadn’t featured prominently in match reports from the first leg, making his decisive impact in the return fixture all the more dramatic.
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The Freiburg challenge
The first leg is scheduled for August 20, 2026, in Freiburg, with the return fixture at Fir Park on August 27.
What this run means for Motherwell
The Conference League, introduced by UEFA in the 2021-22 season, was designed precisely for clubs like Motherwell. It provides a realistic pathway into European group stages for teams from smaller leagues. Clubs that emerge victorious in the playoff round will enter the league phase set to commence in October, competing among 36 teams.