In the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, “Qarabağ” crushed “Shkëndija” in Baku and advanced to the play-off stage. Having already shown their superiority over the North Macedonian side in the first match, the team from Aghdam punished their opponent for opening the score in the return game. The visitors took the lead in the 10th minute, giving them some hope, but shortly after, Gurban Gurbanov’s team began a goal-scoring spree. In the second half, this “rain” of goals slowed somewhat, with the home side scoring only once.

Alongside the foreign players, Nariman Akhundzade’s performance was also a memorable highlight of the match. The forward had recently been criticized for his poor play in previous games.

UEFA Champions League
3rd qualifying round, 2nd leg
Qarabağ – Shkëndija

Qarabağ: Kochalski, Mateus Silva (Dani Bolt, 63), Mustafazade (Mmaee, 63), Medina, Jafarquliyev, Janković, Pedro Bicalho (Kouakou, 63), Kady, Leandro Andrade (Jabrayilzade, 78), Zoubir, Akhundzade (Qurbanli, 70).

Shkëndija: Gajé, Webster, Cake, Fetai, Trumchi, Qaka (Krasniqi, 46), R. Ramadani, Zeynullahi (Kaba, 84), Latifi (Alhassan, 46), Tamba (F. Ramadani, 75), Ibraimi (Ademi, 63).

Goals: Tamba, 10 (0:1). Cake, 16 – own goal (1:1). Kady, 18 (2:1). Akhundzade, 33 (3:1). Janković, 35 (4:1). Leandro Andrade, 59 (5:1).