Gent Stuns Hibernian With Late Away Victory in Conference League

Hibernian 2-3 KAA Gent turned into a rollercoaster for the home side as they fought back from conceding first but ultimately fell short against a resilient Belgian outfit. Juan Vergara gave Gent the lead in the 39th minute, but Hibernian emerged stronger after the break with Jon Kerr levelling from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. Florian Passlack put the home team ahead in the 77th minute, setting up what looked like a successful playoff performance.

The visitors refused to surrender, however. Cesar Burgess pulled Gent level in the 84th minute to force a nervy finale, and the tension boiled over in stoppage time when M.C. Chaiwa was sent off for a second yellow card in the 90th minute. Even with Hibernian reduced to ten men, KAA Gent's victory was sealed by an own goal from Chaiwa just moments after his dismissal, handing the Belgian side an unlikely but deserved away triumph.

The red card and own goal combination in the closing seconds proved the difference in a playoff encounter that swung dramatically in Gent's favour. Despite dominating for large periods, Hibernian's hopes of progressing were extinguished in the cruelest fashion possible as their own player gave the visitors the winning goal.