Tre Fiori vs Larne

Larne controlled the opening half from the first whistle. Dan Bent tested Tre Fiori goalkeeper Michele Nardi with a low drive from the edge of the box in the 23rd minute, and new signing Montel Gibson squandered a clear opening on 39 minutes, firing straight at Nardi after meeting Lusty's low cross.

The breakthrough came a minute before the interval. Tomas Cosgrove's deep free-kick delivery was headed back across goal by Sam McClelland, and Lusty was on hand to sweep home from close range — his first goal of the European campaign.

Gary Haveron made one change at half-time, introducing Benji Magee for McClelland — who had picked up a 19th-minute yellow card — and switching to a back four. Tre Fiori grew into the game after the break but rarely troubled Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 77th minute. Substitute Josh Ukek dispossessed Tre Fiori defender Alex Sirri high up the pitch and fed Lusty, who slotted coolly beyond Nardi. Referee Artem Gasparyan initially awarded the goal, but a VAR review determined Ukek had fouled Sirri in the challenge, and the decision was overturned.

Lusty's disallowed goal in the 77th minute was the game's defining flashpoint. Had it stood, Larne would have carried a commanding two-goal lead into the second leg. Instead, the VAR intervention kept Tre Fiori within touching distance, and the hosts pushed for an equaliser in the final minutes — though they never forced a meaningful save from Ferguson.

The call also highlighted the impact of VAR, making its debut in the Champions League qualifying rounds this season. For a side of Larne's resources, the margin for error in the second leg is now minimal.

Matty Lusty (Larne) — The 22-year-old striker took his goal clinically and was a persistent threat throughout. He might have had a brace but for the VAR intervention. A constant nuisance to the Tre Fiori defence with his movement and hold-up play.

Sam McClelland (Larne) — The centre-back provided the assist for the goal with a clever header back across goal and was solid defensively, though his early yellow card led to his withdrawal at half-time for tactical reasons.

Michele Nardi (Tre Fiori) — The veteran goalkeeper kept his side in the contest with smart saves from Bent and Gibson in the first half and commanded his area well from set pieces.

Player of the match: Matty Lusty (Larne)

The provider stats show Larne edged the shot count and created the clearer chances, consistent with their territorial dominance in the first half. Tre Fiori's 38% possession reflects a game spent largely on the back foot, though they improved after the break without ever threatening an equaliser.

The single yellow card for the hosts (Matteo Prandelli for a late challenge on Bent in the 58th minute) underlines that while Tre Fiori struggled to impose themselves, they were rarely overrun. Larne's early cautions for Sean Graham (10') and McClelland (19') — both for fouls — suggest a side that started aggressively to assert control.

Larne take a slender 1-0 lead back to Inver Park for the second leg on Tuesday 14 July. The Northern Irish champions — who reached the UEFA Conference League league phase in 2024 — will be favourites to progress, but the tie is far from settled. Tre Fiori, Campionato Sammarinese winners by a single point last season, showed defensive organisation in the second half and need only a single goal to level the aggregate score.

The winners of this tie advance to the second qualifying round, where they will face either V\u00edkingur Reykjav\u00edk or Gy\u0151ri ETO.

Larne did the hard part — winning away from home in European competition — but the margin is tighter than the balance of play suggested. Haveron's side created enough chances to have put the tie to bed; the VAR decision denied them that comfort. Tre Fiori will travel to Northern Ireland believing a single goal can reset the tie entirely. The second leg is very much alive.