Georginio Rutter scored twice as Brighton opened their UEFA Conference League league-stage campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Lithuanian champions Kauno Žalgiris at the American Express Stadium.
Match facts
- Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 Kauno Žalgiris (half-time 2-0)
- Competition: UEFA Conference League, League Stage
- Venue: American Express Stadium
- Scorers: Rutter 41', 53'; Hinshelwood 45+2'; O'Riley 67'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Brighton host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, then travel to Jablonec in the Conference League next Thursday
How the match unfolded
Fabian Hürzeler’s side, third in the Premier League and already prolific domestically, controlled the ball from the start against a Žalgiris team that defended in a deep block. Lewis Dunk’s long-range effort flew just over, and Jack Hinshelwood — starting for the first time since an ankle injury kept him out for nearly two months — had a header tipped over by Tomas Švedkauskas.
The breakthrough came in the 41st minute. Ibrahim Osman pulled the ball back and Rutter finished from close range. Officials initially thought the ball had gone out of play before the assist, but VAR awarded the goal. Two minutes into first-half stoppage time Rutter turned provider, setting up Hinshelwood for a first-time finish that made it 2-0 at the break.
After the interval Brighton kept pouring forward. Hinshelwood’s header was pushed over again before Rutter claimed his second in the 53rd minute, once more finishing from an Osman assist. Matt O'Riley struck the post, then headed in the fourth from Younes Ibrahim’s cross in the 67th minute — the 18-year-old Egyptian midfielder’s assist coming on his Brighton debut after replacing Osman.
Žalgiris managed a first shot on target late on, with Bart Verbruggen denying substitute Leon Kreković. Brighton finished with nearly 78% possession and 35 shots to four, according to BBC Sport’s match statistics, and sit top of the early Conference League table.
What the result means
It was Brighton’s first of six league-phase fixtures after they had reached this stage via a play-off win over Tromsø. Rutter, making his first start since the opening day of the Premier League season, answered questions about his role with a brace and an assist. BBC Sport noted Brighton have now scored eight goals across two home European ties in 2026-27 and remain among the continent’s most free-scoring English sides this autumn.
Three of the last four Conference League winners have been English clubs (West Ham 2023, Chelsea 2025, Crystal Palace 2026), and Brighton will be expected to push deep into this season’s competition.
What’s next
A south-coast derby with Crystal Palace at the Amex comes first on Sunday, before the Seagulls head to the Czech Republic to face Jablonec next Thursday. Kauno Žalgiris sit bottom of the early table after the 4-0 reverse.
See also Brighton 3-0 Arsenal and Aston Villa 6-0 Fenerbahçe for recent club-European context. Free verification tools remain on the BetAlert database.