Hibernian secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Shkendija Tetovo at Easter Road in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League tie. The Edinburgh side came from behind to take control of the contest and head into the return fixture with a slender but important advantage.

Match overview

Shkendija Tetovo arrived with a clear game plan to defend in numbers and hit Hibernian on the break. That approach was rewarded when the visitors took the lead against the run of play, sending a warning to the home side. Hibernian responded well, increasing the tempo and pushing forward with more purpose. The equaliser came before half-time and changed the dynamic of the tie.

After the interval, Hibernian were the better side again. They moved the ball more quickly, found more space in wide areas, and eventually got the goal their pressure deserved. Shkendija did threaten sporadically, but the home defence held firm as the match entered its closing stages.

Key moments

• Shkendija shock: The visitors grabbed an early goal against the general flow of play.
• Hibs response: A determined spell of pressure led to a well-taken equaliser.
• Winning goal: Hibs found the breakthrough after the break with a composed finish.
• Late stand: Shkendija pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through.

Tactical story

Hibernian were asked to be patient against a Shkendija side that sat deep and tried to restrict space in central areas. The home side needed to use the width of the pitch, and their best moments came when they moved the ball quickly to the flanks and delivered early crosses into the box.

Shkendija Tetovo showed quality on the counter-attack and looked dangerous when they committed runners forward. Their goal came from exactly that pattern, but they were unable to reproduce it often enough in the second half as Hibernian took control of possession.

Standout performers

Hibernian’s full-backs played an important role in the victory, and the attacking midfielder who scored the equaliser was key to breaking down the Shkendija defensive block. Defensively, the home side were solid when it mattered, particularly after the scoreline reached 2-1.

What the result means

The 2-1 win gives Hibernian a narrow edge in this UEFA Europa Conference League tie, but the margin means the second leg in North Macedonia will be finely balanced. Shkendija Tetovo will remain confident of overturning the deficit in front of their own supporters, making this a tie that is still very much open.