Borac BB are through to the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League after winning a penalty shootout 4-2 against ML Vitebsk, despite losing the match itself 1-0 after 120 minutes of football. It was a night of frustration for the Belarusian side, who controlled proceedings for the majority of the contest, kept a clean sheet, and scored the only goal — yet still found themselves eliminated when the decisive kicks went against them.

The match's standout performer was ML Vitebsk forward Artem Kontsevoy, who finished with the highest individual rating of the night at 7.4 and was directly responsible for the game's only goal. Kontsevoy registered a brace of decisive contributions, causing Borac BB's defence persistent problems throughout with his movement, his pressing, and his ability to manufacture chances in tight spaces. That his efforts ultimately went unrewarded in terms of progression makes his 7.4 MOTM award all the more poignant.

Vitebsk's lead held through regulation and deep into extra time, with the home side looking increasingly capable of seeing the tie out. The clean sheet they maintained across all 120 minutes spoke to their defensive organisation, and going into the shootout as the side that had won the match on the night, confidence should have been on their side. But late drama at the 120-minute mark gave way to a shootout that would cruelly reverse the evening's narrative.

In the penalty decider, Borac BB held their composure where ML Vitebsk could not. The visitors converted four of their five spot-kicks, while the home side managed only two — a 4-2 result that sent Borac through to the next round and ended Vitebsk's involvement in this season's UEFA Europa Conference League. The margin between the two sides across 120 minutes of open play and the final scoreline of the shootout could hardly have been more at odds.

Kontsevoy leaves this tie with man-of-the-match honours and a rating that reflects a genuinely influential performance, but the broader story belongs to Borac BB — a side that absorbed a difficult 120 minutes, refused to concede, and took their chances when it mattered. ML Vitebsk were better for most of the night. Borac BB go through.