Champions League Qualifying: Levski Triumphs Dramatically as Union and Bodo Share Spoils in a Thrilling Encounter
The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round kicked off on Tuesday, showcasing a series of late-game heroics and unexpected outcomes from various corners of Europe.
Leading the charge were Levski Sofia, who secured a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Kairat Almaty in the Bulgarian capital. The home side exhibited dominant control throughout the match, boasting a staggering 71% possession and launching 13 attempts on goal. Despite their advantage, it appeared Levski might settle for a draw until Serginho emerged as the hero, striking a long-range shot that deceived the Kairat goalkeeper and nestled into the bottom corner.
This win marks Levski’s return to the Champions League group stage for the first time in 17 years. Their last appearance was in the 2006/07 season, where they suffered a clean sweep, losing all six matches and netting only once. Kairat, eager to reach the group phase for the second consecutive season, will seek redemption with five wins from their last six home qualifiers, bolstered by confidence for the return leg in Almaty.
Levski’s late triumph was paralleled by Slovan Bratislava, who overturned a first-half deficit to clinch a 2-1 away victory against Mjallby. With the match approaching its climax, Manasse Kianga scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, providing Slovan with a crucial first-leg advantage as they head back to Bratislava.
Meanwhile, Ararat-Armenia registered a 2-1 win against Celje, marking their second victory over the Slovenian club. The hosts had to rally from behind and clinched the win twenty minutes from full time. This encounter, part of a unique tie involving teams yet to reach the Champions League proper, reflects the increasing competitiveness in European football.
Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva managed a 1-0 win against former European Cup champions Crvena zvezda, thanks to a first-half strike from Zahi Ahmed. Despite facing an uphill battle after losing a player in the final 30 minutes, Crvena zvezda could not capitalize on their chances, leaving them to confront a deficit in the upcoming second leg.
In a comfortable match, Dinamo Zagreb excelled with a resounding 5-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris, establishing a commanding first-leg lead.
Union and Bodo Play to a Wild Draw, While Sparta Defeats Lyon
In another fixture, Union Saint-Gilloise and Bodo/Glimt engaged in a frenetic 3-3 draw in Oostende. Bodo, who reached the knockout stage last season, initially took the lead twice, only to see Union equalize each time through Raul Florucz. The match appeared to swing in Union’s favor when substitute Promise David scored in the 88th minute, but Odin Luras Bjortuft salvaged a point for Bodo just three minutes later, reinforcing the back-and-forth nature of the contest.
Sparta Praha achieved a long-sought victory over Olympique Lyon, securing a 2-1 win. After an own goal from Lyon just before half-time gave the French side the lead, Sparta mounted a formidable comeback with two goals in a span of six minutes during the second half, marking the first time they defeated Lyon after previously losing five of six encounters.
In Greece, Olympiakos Piraeus and NEC Nijmegen battled to a tense goalless draw, as both teams had their share of near misses throughout the match, setting the stage for an intriguing second leg next week.
As the third qualifying round continues, all eyes are now on the upcoming matches, including AGF Aarhus hosting Sabah Baku and Fenerbahce facing Sturm Graz.
Follow the developments of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers on Flashscore.
