2 – 3
“Vykintas Slivka opened the scoring early, assisted by Amine Benchaib, giving Kauno Žalgiris an early foothold in the tie and immediately putting Drita on the back foot.”
Pivotal“Drita levelled through Igball Jashari, assisted by Liridon Balaj from a corner situation, restoring parity and lifting the home crowd after a difficult opening spell.”
Pivotal“Arb Manaj put Drita ahead for the first time in the match, converting from another corner situation early in the second half to give the hosts what seemed like a platform to see the game out.”
Pivotal“Vykintas Slivka struck again to pull Kauno Žalgiris level at 2-2, arriving from a corner in the 81st minute and completing a dramatic swing of momentum after a wave of substitutions had destabilised the Drita backline.”
Pivotal“Amine Benchaib converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete a remarkable Kauno Žalgiris comeback, sending the visitors through with a 3-2 win and sparking ugly scenes as three Drita players were booked in the immediate aftermath.”
Pivotal
Drita
Kauno Žalgiris
Kauno Žalgiris came from behind twice to beat Drita 3-2 in a Champions League qualifying match that swung decisively in the visitors' favour in the final ten minutes. The Lithuanian side dominated possession at 63% and registered 18 shots to Drita's nine, reflecting a control that eventually told even after Drita twice led. Drita had looked capable of holding on after Arb Manaj put them 2-1 up in the 53rd minute from a corner, but a flurry of substitutions disrupted the hosts' shape and Slivka levelled with eight minutes remaining before Amine Benchaib stepped up to convert a 90th-minute penalty and seal a vital away win. The result is a significant blow to Drita's European ambitions and puts Kauno Žalgiris in a strong position ahead of the second leg, rewarding their patient, possession-based approach that eventually wore the hosts down.
How entertaining was this match?
Goal in the penalty shootout! Amine Benchaib scores, making it 2-3.
Haris KadricYellow CardHaris Kadric receives a yellow card.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Amine Benchaib scores, making it 2-3.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
assist: Joris Moutachy
Goal! The score is now 2-2.
Corner awarded.
On comes William Baeten, off goes Arb Manaj.
Aldayr Hernandez comes on for Anton Tolordava.
Nosa Iyobosa Edokpolor is on, and Marko Konatar is off.
Haris Kadric replaces Fabien Ourega.
Corner awarded.
Blerton Sheji is substituted for Igball Jashari.
Kristal Abazaj comes on for Liridon Balaj.
Motiejus Burba comes on for Leo Ribeiro.
Corner awarded.
assist: Liridon Balaj
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Jorgo PellumbiYellow CardYellow card issued to Jorgo Pellumbi.
Corner awarded.
assist: Liridon Balaj
Goal! Igball Jashari scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Liridon Balaj.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
assist: Amine Benchaib
Goal! Vykintas Slivka scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Amine Benchaib.
Kick-off! The referee is Oguzhan Cakir.
Drita and Kauno Žalgiris meet in a decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, with the aggregate score locked at 1-1 after a dramatic late equalizer in the first leg. Everything is on the line at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, as one goal could change everything — and only one club will advance.
