Champions League qualifying: AGF complete stunning comeback as Kauno Žalgiris and Hapoel Be’er Sheva progress

Late drama, remarkable comebacks and penalty shootout heroics dominated Wednesday’s action as the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round came to a thrilling conclusion.

Eight more teams secured their places in the third qualifying round, joining Tuesday’s six winners. However, it was AGF Aarhus who stole the spotlight after producing one of the most memorable turnarounds of this season’s qualifying campaign.

AGF Complete Incredible Comeback

Trailing 4-1 from the first leg against Lech Poznań, the Danish side faced an uphill battle heading into Poland.

After surviving an early penalty scare, Tobias Bech opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark to ignite hopes of an unlikely comeback. Following the break, Kristian Arnstad converted from the penalty spot before Frederik Tingager levelled the tie on aggregate, wiping out AGF’s three-goal deficit.

Lech Poznań looked to have regained control by scoring in extra time, but AGF responded just five minutes later to make it 4-1 on the night, mirroring the first-leg scoreline and forcing a penalty shootout.

The Danish club also had to recover from an early setback in the shootout, but consecutive misses from Lech proved costly. AGF converted their remaining penalties to claim a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory, completing one of the competition’s greatest qualifying comebacks.

The result guarantees AGF a place in the league phase of a UEFA club competition for the first time in the club’s history.

Fenerbahçe Eliminate Górnik Zabrze

Poland’s other representative, Górnik Zabrze, could not overturn their first-leg deficit against Fenerbahçe.

A first-half penalty from Anderson Talisca extended the Turkish side’s aggregate lead before Michal Sáček equalised shortly before half-time. The 1-1 draw was enough for Fenerbahçe to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Kairat Almaty Survive Penalty Drama

Another tie was decided from the penalty spot as Kairat Almaty edged past Omonia Nicosia.

Playing against ten men from the 26th minute, the Kazakh champions dominated proceedings, registering 37 shots before finally forcing penalties after a 1-0 victory levelled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate.

In the shootout, Nikolas Panagiotou missed the decisive penalty, sending Kairat through 6-5 after seven rounds. It marks the second consecutive season the club has reached the third qualifying round.

Crvena zvezda Cruise Through

The only team to win comfortably across both legs were Crvena zvezda, who completed a commanding 9-0 aggregate victory over Larne.

After a 5-0 first-leg win, the Serbian champions controlled the return match from start to finish and comfortably advanced as one of the favourites to reach the league phase.

Kauno Žalgiris Secure Historic Qualification

Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris booked European football this autumn with a dramatic late victory over KÍ Klaksvík.

A Leon Kreković strike five minutes from time secured a 1-0 victory, enough to send the hosts through on aggregate.

The result makes Kauno Žalgiris only the second Lithuanian club, after Žalgiris Vilnius, to qualify for the league phase of a UEFA club competition.

The club also continued their impressive European campaign by remaining unbeaten in all four Champions League qualifiers this summer.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva Turn the Tie Around

Hapoel Be’er Sheva successfully overturned their first-leg defeat against Víkingur Reykjavík despite playing their home fixture in Hungary.

Goals from Zahi Ahmed and Amir Chaim Ganah secured a 2-0 victory, completing a 2-1 aggregate comeback.

The Israeli club will now feature in a UEFA league phase for the first time since the 2022/23 season.

Levski Sofia Survive Late Scare

Levski Sofia were pushed all the way by CS Universitatea Craiova after racing into a two-goal lead away from home.

The Romanian side responded with goals either side of half-time to level the match on the night, but Levski held firm to earn a 2-2 draw and progress 3-2 on aggregate.

The Bulgarian club remains on course for its first league phase appearance since the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League.

Slovan Bratislava Progress Under Yaya Touré

Managed by former Ivory Coast star Yaya Touré, Slovan Bratislava completed the job against Iberia 1999.

A 1-1 draw was enough for the Slovak champions to advance 3-1 on aggregate, booking their place in the next round.

Third Qualifying Round Awaits

The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round will be played on 4-5 August and 11 August.

All 20 clubs remaining in the competition are now guaranteed league phase football in at least one of UEFA’s three major club competitions, with a place in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League still up for grabs.