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It was supposed to be a simple walkover for NSI Runavík in Helsinki.
The Faroese underdogs thrashed HJK Helsinki 4‑0 in the first leg of the Conference League’s first qualifying round on July 10.
In the second leg, at Bolt Arena in Helsinki, the Faroese side started poorly, as Fabian Østigård Ness was sent off after just 15 minutes.
What followed was not just a comeback by the Finnish team. It was a football epic.
HJK Hln fired 60 shots to make an epic comeback.
HJK flipped the script with a 5‑0 win after extra time, sealing a stunning aggregate triumph. Antzoulas made it 4-0 in the fourth added minute, and sent the match into overtime, where HJK scored the winning goal.
There’s still more.
HJK shot 60 shots in total during the dramatic turnaround. This is an incredible volume for modern football. After 90 minutes, the home side had already racked up 48 shots at NSI Runavík’s goal.
They will now face Bulgarian Arda Kdzhali in the second qualifier.
Why it matters to European football
It is rare to see a team come back from a four-goal disadvantage in UEFA competitions.
Before this, only five teams had done it: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Zenit, Partizan, and Leixões.
- Zenit Sankt Petersburg vs. Dinamo Minsk (2018/19)
- Barcelona vs. PSG (2016/17)
- Real Madrid vs. Borussia Monchengladbach (1985/86)
- Partizan Belgrade vs. QPR (1984/85)
- Leixões vs. FC La Chaux-de-Fonds (1961/62)
HJK Helsinki is now on that list of elite teams, a constant reminder that there is no safe scoreline in football. And no comeback can be impossible.
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