Brighton were held to a 0-0 draw by Tromso in the first leg of their Conference League play-off, leaving the Seagulls needing a victory at the Amex next Thursday to reach the competition’s main draw.
The match was Brighton’s first competitive fixture of the season, and they were unable to find a way past a stubborn Tromso side who are already midway through their domestic campaign.
Any win in the second leg will be enough for Brighton to progress, but the Premier League club will know they must improve in front of goal after being frustrated in Norway.
The second leg takes place at the Amex next Thursday night. Before then, Brighton begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign when they host Aston Villa on Sunday, with the match scheduled for a 2pm kick-off and live on Sky Sports.
Brighton created several opportunities but were repeatedly denied by Tromso goalkeeper Haugaard. With 29 minutes played, Rutter tested him from distance, striking from 25 yards. Haugaard moved down to his left to push the effort wide.
The resulting corner produced another excellent chance. The ball fell to Osman, who controlled it with his chest before hitting a volley, but Haugaard reacted quickly to touch the shot over for another corner.
Brighton also threatened shortly before half-time. Gross delivered an inviting corner into the area in the second minute of added time, finding Boscagli unmarked in the middle. However, Boscagli headed over the crossbar.
Tromso began the second half with a warning of their own. In the 49th minute, Edvardsson played a ball through to Heine Larsen. The flag stayed down, but Verbruggen came quickly from his goal to make an important save and keep the scores level.
Brighton continued to look for a breakthrough, with Ayari becoming increasingly influential. After going into the referee’s book, he worked his way past two challenges and got a shot away, only for Haugaard to palm the effort wide.
The visitors went close again with 15 minutes remaining. Cozier-Duberry produced a fine cross for Kostoulas, who had a strong opportunity from the centre of the area. It was a chance created by two substitutes, but Kostoulas headed over.
Tromso then missed the clearest opportunity to claim victory. In the 86th minute, Vadebu was sent through after poor defending by Vuskovic and found himself clean through on goal. However, he put his effort wide.
Brighton survived that late scare and will now return to England with the tie still level. Their first competitive assignment of the season remains unresolved, with a place in the Conference League main draw to be decided at the Amex next week.
