Three clubs have confirmed their spots in this season’s UEFA Champions League league phase after successfully navigating the decisive play-off second-leg fixtures on Tuesday night.
Pafos FC made history by qualifying for the league phase for the first time. The Cypriot side battled to a 1-1 draw against Serbian powerhouse Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, completing a 3-2 aggregate triumph. Pafos had edged the first leg at home and needed only a composed display away to see the job through. Their away goal proved vital in securing a place among Europe’s elite.
In Austria, Bodø/Glimt suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sturm Graz but advanced with ease thanks to their commanding first-leg victory. The Norwegian champions had demolished their opponents 5-0 at home last week, and Tuesday’s narrow loss did little to dent their comfortable 6-2 aggregate success. It marks another step forward for a side that has become a consistent presence in European competitions in recent years.
The biggest drama of the night unfolded in Kazakhstan, where Kairat Almaty stunned Celtic. After both legs ended in scoreless draws, the tie went to penalties in front of a raucous home crowd. Kairat held their nerve from the spot, converting three of their kicks while the Scottish champions faltered twice, giving the Kazakh outfit a 3-2 shootout victory. The result sees Kairat return to Europe’s top competition for the first time in over a decade and leaves Celtic ruing missed chances over the two legs.
Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s fixtures, where several heavyweights aim to secure their own places in the league phase. Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ will face Ferencváros of Hungary in what promises to be a tightly contested battle. Swiss side FC Basel are set to host Copenhagen, while Turkish giants Fenerbahçe meet Portuguese powerhouse Benfica in one of the standout ties of the round. Belgian champions Club Brugge will also be in action as they take on Rangers, with both sides eyeing a return to Europe’s grandest stage.
With the stakes higher than ever, the race to join Europe’s biggest clubs in the new-look Champions League league phase is entering its final stretch, and Tuesday’s results have already set the tone for a thrilling conclusion.
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