Hibernian – Partizan 2:3 AET (1:3, 0:2)
Stadium: Easter Road
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Bulgaria)
Scorers: Bowie 60’, Cadden 100’ – Vukotic 17’, J. Milosevic 44’, A. Kostic 90+5’
Red card: Nikola Simic, 63’
Hibernian: Smith, O’Hara, Bushiri, Iredale, Cadden, Levitt (77’ Mane), Malligan, Obita (91’ Yuan), Boyle (91’ Hoilett), Campbell (65’ N. Cadden), Bowie (114’ Kljaje)
Partizan: M. Milosevic, Roganovic, Simic, Milic (106’ Stojkovic), Jurcevic, Dragojevic, Ugresic (75’ Seck), Trifunovic (83’ A. Kostic), Vukotic (83’ Natho), B. Kostic (66’ Karabelyov), J. Milosevic (116’ Jovanovic)
Partizan’s European campaign ended despite a heroic performance and a 3:2 victory after extra time in Edinburgh in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round. The 0:2 defeat in Belgrade proved decisive, as the aggregate score of 4:3 sent Hibernian through.
The Serbian side erased the first-leg deficit within 45 minutes through goals by Vukotić (17’) and Jovan Milošević (44’), while a potential penalty for handball late in the half was waved away by Bulgarian referee Radoslav Gidzhenov. Frustration spilled over when Nikola Simić, already booked before halftime, was sent off in the 63rd minute, just three minutes after Keron Bouvie made it 1:2.
Despite being a man down, Partizan kept attacking. In stoppage time, Andrej Kostić – who had entered in the 83rd minute – struck in the 90+5 to force extra time. Even then, the visitors pressed forward, but Nicky Cadden’s strike in the 100th minute gave the Scots the aggregate lead.
Partizan came agonizingly close to forcing penalties: Jurčević’s potential assist was ruled offside by centimeters, Kostić hit the post in the 118th minute, and the young squad continued to create chances until the final whistle.
