Key moments and the scoring timeline

Rutter struck first in the 29th minute, finishing with his left after a well-timed through ball from Diego Gómez. It was a move built on direct vertical play, and it set the tone for how Brighton would find space behind Roma’s back line. Ayari doubled the lead on 40 minutes, steering a right-footed effort into the low-right corner. The move was simple and effective, with Brighton patient in possession and precise at the point of attack.

The decisive third arrived at 49 minutes. Ayari finished again with his right foot, this time after a neat assist from Rutter. The sequence featured quick combinations down the right and a measured cutback into space at the edge of the box. Roma made changes after the break but could not change the momentum. They finished with 10 total shots yet none on target, a rare outcome for a side with that many attempts.

Possession and passing that built pressure

Brighton controlled 60% of the ball and completed 488 of 567 passes, which set the platform for sustained pressure. Roma completed 291 of 369 passes and often played into a well-organized press that forced difficult entries. Final third numbers underlined the difference in quality, not volume. Roma had slightly more final-third entries at 60 compared to Brighton’s 57, but Brighton executed those phases better, finishing 97 of 132 actions in the final third compared to Roma’s 70 of 104.

Crossing and long-ball output also tilted the game. Brighton connected on 6 of 16 crosses for 38%, while Roma landed only 1 of 12. The home side hit 28 accurate long balls from 54 tries, a solid 52% that helped them flip pressure and find runners. Roma were at 46% on long balls and struggled to find consistent outlets. The upshot was a constant cycle of Brighton possession and Roma retreat, which led to more touches in the box for the hosts, 29 to 25.

Where the match was really won: defending and duels

Brighton’s defensive work made Roma’s build-up uncomfortable and their shot profile toothless. The hosts logged 18 interceptions to Roma’s 3 and 55 recoveries to 41. Tackles were not just frequent but successful, with Brighton winning 77% of their 13 attempts. Clearances told a similar story, 18 for Brighton compared to 7 for Roma, reflecting where the ball lived most of the night.

Roma actually edged the overall duel share at 53% and owned more aerial wins, yet it did not translate into territory that mattered. Brighton managed the duels they had to win and pressed at the right moments. The home side also committed 17 fouls to Roma’s 5, often stopping counters early and preventing Roma’s front line from finding rhythm. Sofascore’s team numbers match the eye test here, pairing Brighton’s clean sheet with a 6-0 shots-on-target advantage and an average team Sofascore Rating of 7.91 against Roma’s 6.87.

MVP watch: Yasin Ayari puts up a Sofascore Rating of 9.2

Yasin Ayari was named Player of the Match with a Sofascore Rating of 9.2, built on two well-taken right-footed goals in minutes 40 and 49. He took three shots, hit the target twice and had one attempt blocked. His output was not just about finishing. Ayari completed 39 of 44 passes, split 20 of 23 in the opposition half, and added one key pass.

Out of possession, he was tidy and alert. He posted eight recoveries, two interceptions and one block, a full midline of work that fed Brighton’s transitions. He also carried the ball nine times for a combined 60.5 meters, helping connect phases between Brighton’s pivots and the front four. Add 54 total touches and only seven possessions lost, and you get a complete performance. On a night with several strong home displays, Ayari’s timing in the box and clean passing separated him from the pack.

Supporting cast: Rutter’s spark and a sturdy back line

Rutter’s 8.9 Sofascore Rating shows how lively he was. He scored the opener, assisted Ayari’s second, took five shots with three on target, created two big chances and delivered two key passes. His ball carrying was a constant outlet, with 11 carries and over 49 meters of progression, stretching Roma’s outside center-backs.

At the back, Olivier Boscagli stood out with a 7.9, backed by 66 passes at 86% accuracy, two tackles won, two interceptions, five recoveries and a last-man tackle. Lewis Dunk came on at half-time and was tidy, completing 39 of 42 passes with three clearances and two blocks. Full-back Maxim De Cuyper offered an efficient cameo, completing 24 of 28 passes, landing his only cross and creating a big chance for a 7.5. In midfield, Diego Gómez logged three key passes and an assist, while captain Pascal Groß controlled tempo with 58 of 61 passes completed and three key passes for a 7.4.

Roma’s numbers and what stalled

Roma’s best moments came in physical duels and second-half aerials, but they never found the final touch. They finished with 10 shots and 0 on target, plus just 1 accurate cross from 12. Final-third execution lagged behind, with 70 successful actions out of 104 compared to Brighton’s 97 out of 132. They did win more overall duels and more aerials, particularly after the break, yet Brighton’s shape cut off quality access into the box.

Konstantinos Koulierakis was Roma’s best-rated player at 7.1, busy in defense with seven recoveries and three duels won after coming on. Mile Svilar made three saves, including one big stop, but had little chance to change the trend once the second went in. Substitutes Luigi Cherubini and Mattia Mannini offered brief flashes, with Cherubini producing a key pass, though Brighton’s pressing and interceptions quickly closed lanes. The visitors drew 17 free kicks, showing they were fouled often in the second half, but those restarts did not become chances. Add one error leading to a goal in the first half and the picture is complete. On the day, Brighton’s passing, pressing and final-third sharpness were the difference.

Sofascore users can dive deeper into all player pages to explore passing maps, heatmaps and every touch from this match. If you want the story behind the 3-0 beyond the highlights, the data is all there.