Late Own Goal Costs Hearts Victory

In a tense Europa League play-off match at the Doosan Arena, Hearts faced a heartbreaking defeat as a late own goal from Daniel Oyegoke handed Viktoria Plzen a narrow 1-0 victory. The match, characterized by a lack of clear scoring opportunities, seemed destined for a goalless draw until the dying moments of the game. Throughout the first leg, the home side, Viktoria Plzen, appeared to have the upper hand, creating more clear-cut chances. However, Hearts, managed by Steven Naismith, held firm and looked set to return to Tynecastle with a valuable draw. The match was largely uneventful, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. In a dramatic turn of events during the sixth minute of stoppage time, a cross from Plzen substitute Cadu found Oyegoke, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The unfortunate incident occurred just after Oyegoke had been substituted in for Gerald Taylor, marking a cruel twist for the young player. With this late goal, Viktoria Plzen takes a slim advantage into the second leg of the tie, leaving Hearts with the challenge of overcoming this setback at home next week. The outcome underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where a single moment can dramatically alter the course of a match and a team's fortunes in a tournament.