Atalanta's Quick-Fire Start Destroys Pafos in the First Half

Atalanta opened their UEFA Conference League campaign this season with a convincing 3-1 win over Pafos FC. The matchday 1 clash at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, played on Thursday evening (15/10/2026) local time, was effectively decided in the first half, when the hosts raced into a three-goal lead.

The opener arrived just one minute in. Giacomo Raspadori delivered a perfect pass that Eljif Elmas finished coolly. In the 18th minute, Raspadori doubled the lead from the penalty spot, before Gianluca Scamacca closed out the first half with a 44th-minute strike assisted by Charles De Ketelaere. The 3-0 scoreline held until the break.

De Ketelaere Shines as Man of the Match

Although he did not get his name on the scoresheet, Charles De Ketelaere was the standout performer among the Atalanta players. The Belgian midfielder was named Man of the Match by Flashscore, with his clever assist for Scamacca's goal among the highlights of his display.

La Dea's dominance was reflected in the match statistics. Atalanta enjoyed 64 percent of possession and fired 15 shots, compared to just 8 from the visitors from Cyprus.

Biel's Goal Ends Pafos' Away Drought

Pafos FC finally broke the deadlock two minutes before full time. Biel Teixeira beat the Atalanta goalkeeper in the 88th minute after receiving a pass from Anderson Silva. The consolation goal at least ended a run of six away games without a goal for the Cypriot side in UEFA competitions.

Pafos' bad news had come earlier, in the 37th minute, when veteran defender David Luiz was forced off with a right flexor problem and replaced by Ken Sema. The defeat extended Pafos' poor record of no wins in their last nine away games in European competition.

Valuable Platform for Atalanta in the Conference League

The win over Pafos gives Atalanta a valuable platform in the Conference League group stage. The result also continued their strong home run, with four wins in their last five games in Bergamo, underlining La Dea's readiness to compete in European club football's third tier this season.