Hearts’ hopes of making it into the Europa League were dashed after they suffered a fifth defeat in a row, losing their play-off tie against Viktoria Plzen 2-0 on aggregate.
The Edinburgh side – trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the Czech Republic a week earlier – were in the tie until the 76th minute of the second leg at Tynecastle, when Lukas Cerv’s strike sucked the life out of the hosts’ challenge.
Steven Naismith’s beleaguered side – who have now failed to win any of their opening six matches this season – at least have the consolation of knowing they will parachute into Friday’s UEFA Conference League group stage draw.
There were five changes to the team that started the 3-1 defeat at Motherwell on Sunday as Naismith reverted to a side more like the one that started the agonising 1-0 defeat in Plzen last Thursday.
The most notable team news for the Jambos was that talismanic captain Lawrence Shankland missed out with a knee issue sustained at the weekend, so Liam Boyce – badly hit by injury over the past two years – was added to the attack.
Plzen, who reached the last eight of the Conference League last season, had lost the services of key defender Robin Hranac since the first leg after selling the Czech international to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim earlier this week.
Hearts had the first notable attempt in the seventh minute when Cameron Devlin fizzed an angled shot over the bar after a strike from Gerald Taylor broke to him on the right edge of the box.
The hosts continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession but had to wait until the 36th minute for their first clear chance when a long throw-in from Taylor broke to fellow Costa Rica international Kenneth Vargas in line with the penalty spot but the striker blasted his half volley just over.
Plzen, who had seemed content to sit in and frustrate the Edinburgh side early on, finished the half strongly.
Daniel Vasulin had three big chances to score for the visitors within the space of a few minutes before the break, with the striker denied by excellent goal-saving tackles from Stephen Kingsley and then Taylor before he glanced a header just wide from a corner.
Hearts enjoyed some early pressure in the second half but Plzen did well to take the sting out of the hosts’ attempts to get back into the tie.
The away side almost went ahead in the 64th minute but goalkeeper Craig Gordon made a brilliant save to deny Vasulin, who had got himself clear 12 yards out.
The Jambos brought on creative sparks Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and Yutaro Oda and switched from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1, and they went agonisingly close in the 75th minute when both Taylor and Kingsley were denied in quick succession by saves from Marian Tvrdon.
The goalkeeper’s intervention proved pivotal as his team went 2-0 ahead on aggregate a minute later when Cerv rifled home a low shot from the edge of the box after a slack pass by Frankie Kent allowed the Czechs to mount a counter-attack down the right.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
