Serie A leaders AS Roma edged past Midtjylland 2–1 at the Stadio Olimpico, bringing an end to the Danish side’s flawless start to this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase in the first-ever meeting between the clubs.

Facing the prospect of losing three consecutive European home matches for the first time in their history, Roma entered the night needing a response after an inconsistent UEL campaign (W2, L2). They delivered one almost immediately. With just seven minutes played, Neil El Aynaoui opened his account for the club, steering a composed volley from Zeki Çelik’s pinpoint cross beyond Elias Rafn Olafsson.

Roma controlled the tempo for the rest of the first half and nearly doubled their lead when Lorenzo Pellegrini’s deflected effort flashed narrowly wide. While Midtjylland had registered more shots on target than any other side in the opening four matchdays (26), they failed to test Mile Svilar at all as the second half began, placing their status as the only team yet to drop a UEL point under serious threat.

The hosts continued to press, with Matías Soulé curling just off target, before Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy each forced Olafsson into saves as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team pushed to widen their advantage. Despite Roma’s pressure, the narrow margin kept the game alive heading into the closing stages.

Midtjylland finally showed signs of life when Junior Brumado’s header from a corner clipped the crossbar, beating Svilar but not the woodwork. Roma responded in devastating fashion on the counterattack, finishing off a sweeping move with El Shaarawy’s composed side-foot finish to make it 2–0.

The drama wasn’t over. Just minutes later, Paulinho converted from close range to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finale, but Roma held firm to secure the points and record their third straight competitive victory—their longest winning run of the season.

Midtjylland’s best-ever European winning streak comes to an end, though they remain top of the UEL league phase standings for now, three points clear of Roma, who sit in a playoff position with three games remaining.