David De Gea played a pivotal role in helping Fiorentina advance to the Conference League, making crucial saves throughout the match and particularly in the penalty shootout, as the nine-man Italian side overcame Puskas Akademia.

The two teams had drawn 3-3 in the chaotic first leg, with no advantage from away goals under the new rules, setting the stage for a tense second leg at the Pancho Arena in Felcsut. Fiorentina, who had recently struggled in Serie A with draws against Parma and Venezia, fielded Dodo, Cristiano Biraghi, Amir Richardson, and Moise Kean in the starting lineup. Despite reaching the Conference League final for two consecutive years, the club was adjusting to new coach Raffaele Palladino.

The game began with a tribute—a minute’s silence held for former Fiorentina coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. The first half saw early troubles for Fiorentina, including a booking for Marin Pongracic and critical errors that nearly cost them. De Gea made a spectacular save on Urho Nissila’s attempt after a defensive lapse by Pongracic. Fiorentina’s attack also faltered, as Kean sent a cross through the box with no one to finish.

After the break, Puskas Akademia continued to pressure, with Wojciech Golla’s header hitting the crossbar. De Gea remained vital, making a double save, first stopping Jakub Plsek’s close-range effort and then deflecting a follow-up attempt.

Fiorentina finally found their breakthrough when Kean, under pressure, turned and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, giving his team a much-needed lead despite being outplayed for much of the match.

Late drama ensued as Hungarian appeals for a penalty were dismissed, but Luca Ranieri was soon penalized for a shirt tug on Lamin Colley, receiving his second yellow card. Zsolt Nagy converted the resulting penalty, forcing the match into extra time against a 10-man Fiorentina.

Things worsened for the Italians when Pietro Comuzzo was sent off, leaving them with nine players. De Gea kept them in the game with a series of impressive saves, including stopping a dangerous Artem Favorov free kick and pushing a powerful Nagy shot wide.

With Fiorentina barely holding on, the match headed to penalties. De Gea’s heroics continued as he saved a shot from Puskas captain Roland Szolnoki, allowing Cristiano Biraghi to score the decisive penalty and send Fiorentina through to the next stage of the competition.