After suffering a narrow loss at home, reigning Luxembourgish champions FC Differdange overturned their UEFA Conference League tie against Levadia Tallinn, securing a spot in the competition's play-off round.

Pedro Silva made just one change to the starting line-up, forced by fitness concerns: new signing Ronaldo Camará replaced Artur Abreu in attack, having not been fully available for the first leg in southern Luxembourg.

His introduction brought fresh dynamics to the side, yet the team's play still showed the difference of having the Bissau-Guinean up front. Differdange kept their opponents pinned back for the entire first half. Clear-cut chances were scarce, but the Luxembourgers remained in control, with a breakthrough feeling inevitable.

Levadia, whose professional side has never reached the league stage of a European competition, approached the return leg with the clear aim of scraping through with a draw. Their defensive game plan was understandable, having secured a 3-2 lead away from home, but it quickly unravelled. Despite enjoying more possession, the Estonians lacked attacking threat and seemed content to hold on for a goalless draw.

That goal looked within reach until the 81st minute, when Andreas Buch came off the bench for Boris Mfoumou and became the only player to turn FCD's sustained dominance into a winning performance. His equaliser near the end of regulation revived a tie that had long seemed lost, after early defensive errors in the first leg had gifted Levadia two quick goals.

Even after the hosts regained the lead in extra time, Buch struck again, cementing his status as Differdange’s eternal super-sub, capable of changing games with minimal time on the ball.

Buch's attacking instincts are almost unmatched in Luxembourg: regardless of angle, body part or scoreline, the German has been one of the league's most ruthless finishers since joining the club in 2019. In that period, only one out-and-out striker has consistently bettered his record – former Fola Esch and F91 Dudelange forward Samir Hadji.

Now Differdange's first-choice striker, Hadji sealed the team’s progress with his composure from the spot, after an accidental handball gifted FCD a penalty in the 119th minute.

A dependable penalty taker, Hadji calmly converted to overtake Omar El Rafik as the most prolific scorer for a Luxembourgish side in European competition. Having also scored twice in the first leg, he was a strong contender for player of the tie.

Familiar foes await

FCD's next away trip will be against familiar opponents: Kosovo’s Drita, who were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League by Romanian side FCSB. Drita beat Differdange on aggregate in July, winning 1-0 at home and 3-2 in Luxembourg. Despite long spells of dominance, FCD lacked the confidence and mentality to prevail in that first international test of the season.

Since then, victories over The New Saints of Wales and Levadia Tallinn have boosted belief. The quality gap between FCD and Drita never appeared unbridgeable, and now a historic feat beckons: Silva's side could become the first Luxembourgish team to reach the group stage of Europe’s third-tier club competition if they clear the final hurdle.