Champions League qualifying: Ararat-Armenia, Mjallby and Sabah secure historic progress as Dinamo Zagreb survive scare

Six ties in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round reached their conclusion on Tuesday, with 12 clubs battling for places in the third qualifying round and, crucially, guaranteed league phase football in UEFA competition this season.

Ararat-Armenia make history despite defeat in Dublin

Ararat-Armenia booked their place in the third qualifying round after edging Shamrock Rovers 3-2 on aggregate, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat in the second leg in Ireland.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Shamrock Rovers made the perfect start as Matthew Healy opened the scoring after just 11 minutes. The Irish champions levelled the tie before half-time when Aaron Greene added a second, leaving the aggregate score locked at 2-2.

The hosts dominated for long periods and looked the more likely side to complete the turnaround. However, the decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute when Sandro Lima finished from close range to restore Ararat-Armenia’s aggregate advantage.

Remarkably, it was the Armenian side’s only shot on target of the match, but it proved enough to send them through to the next round.

The result guarantees Ararat-Armenia league phase football for the first time in the club’s history, making them only the fourth Armenian club to reach that stage of a UEFA competition.

For Shamrock Rovers, meanwhile, it marked a sixth consecutive Champions League campaign ending before the third qualifying round.

Mjallby and Sabah also celebrate historic milestones

Mjallby also secured league phase football for the first time after playing out a goalless draw away to Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar.

Holding a comfortable 3-0 advantage from the first leg, the Swedish champions comfortably saw out the tie to progress on aggregate.

There was more history for Sabah, who reached the main phase of a UEFA club competition for the first time after defeating KuPS Kuopio 2-0 in Finland to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory.

Second-half goals from Veljko Simic and Joy Lance Mickels sealed qualification for the Azerbaijani side, who become only the fourth club from Azerbaijan to reach a UEFA league or group phase after Qarabag, Neftci, and Qabala.

Dinamo Zagreb survive extra-time thriller against Thun

In Croatia, Dinamo Zagreb overcame a major scare to eliminate Thun 4-3 on aggregate after an absorbing extra-time encounter.

The Swiss visitors stunned the home crowd by racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes through Brighton Labeau and Marco Burki, putting Dinamo on the brink of elimination.

The tie turned midway through the second half when Burki was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving Thun to defend with 10 men.

The Croatian champions took full advantage. Dion Beljo reduced the deficit with 16 minutes remaining before Lukas Kacavenda levelled the tie moments later to force extra time.

The decisive goal arrived in the 112th minute as Moris Valincic fired home to complete the comeback and send Dinamo Zagreb into the third qualifying round.

The victory extends Dinamo’s perfect record in the modern Champions League second qualifying round, while Thun were unable to replicate their memorable run to the group stage in the 2005/06 season.

Celje edge penalty shootout to set up Ararat-Armenia clash

Celje eventually overcame Egnatia after another dramatic encounter between the two sides.

Following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg, the Slovenian champions were held to a 2-2 draw after extra time in the return fixture, forcing a penalty shootout.

Celje converted all four of their spot-kicks, while Egnatia managed just one successful penalty from three attempts, sending the hosts through.

It marks the first time Celje have progressed beyond the second qualifying round of the Champions League, with Ararat-Armenia awaiting them in the next stage.

Sturm Graz cruise through

Elsewhere, Sturm Graz completed a dominant 6-0 aggregate victory over Heart of Midlothian after winning 2-0 at Tynecastle Park.

The Austrian champions struck twice in the space of four minutes to comfortably wrap up qualification.

The second qualifying round concludes on Wednesday, with clubs including Fenerbahce, Crvena zvezda, and Lech Poznan aiming to seal their places in the next round.