3 – 3
“Eneo Bitri headed or finished from a corner to give Egnatia a seventh-minute lead, setting the tone for a frantic European qualifier.”
“Mario Kvesic converted at the death of the first half, assisted by Armandas Kučys, to draw Celje level and fundamentally change the complexion of the tie heading into the break.”
Pivotal“Mario Kvesic struck for the second time to restore Celje's lead at 2-3, just eight minutes after Egnatia had equalised, and with 24 minutes to go, this looked like the decisive moment of the tie.”
Pivotal“Ibrahim Diabaté, introduced just four minutes earlier as a substitute, fired home to equalise at 3-3 and deny Celje what would have been a precious away win in the Champions League qualifier.”
Pivotal
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Celje
Egnatia Rrogozhinë drew first blood through Eneo Bitri's seventh-minute corner routine, but Celje turned the contest on its head in a breathless second half. Mario Kvesic equalised on the stroke of half-time and then, after Armandas Kučys put Celje ahead early in the second period, Egnatia responded immediately through Fernando Medeiros to make it 2-2 — only for Kvesic to strike again at 66 minutes and seemingly seal the tie for the Slovenians. With the clock running down, Egnatia threw bodies forward and substitute Ibrahim Diabaté, introduced just four minutes before his goal, rescued a 3-3 draw in the 78th minute to keep the Albanian side's Champions League hopes alive. Egnatia actually controlled the match territorially — posting a dominance score of 48 to Celje's 32 — and despite a remarkably low official shot count, both sides registered three shots on target apiece, underlining just how clinical and chaotic the final hour became.
How entertaining was this match?
Corner awarded.
On Rudi Pozeg Vancas, off Yaya Dukuly.
Edison Ndreca comes on for Fernando Medeiros Da Silva.
Geralb Smajli is on, and Altin Kryeziu is off.
Veton Tusha is on, and Svit Seslar is off.
Substitution: Mark Zabukovnik is on, and Milot Avdyli is off.
assist: Fernando Medeiros
Goal! Ibrahim Diabaté scores, bringing the score to 3-3.
Goal! The score is now 3-3.
Ibrahim Diabaté comes on for Karim Loukili.
Ildi Gruda is substituted for Alessandro Albanese.
Arbenit XhemajliYellow CardYellow card issued to Arbenit Xhemajli.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Pijus Sirvys is on, and Armandas Kucys is off.
Yellow card issued to Papa Daniel.
Goal! Mario Kvesic scores, making it 2-3.
assist: Daniel Adjessa
Goal! Fernando Medeiros Da Silva scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
Eljon SotaYellow CardEljon Sota receives a yellow card.
assist: Leonardo Koutris
Goal! The score is now 1-2.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
assist: Svit Seslar
Goal! Mario Kvesic scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Armandas Kucys.
Goal! The match is now tied at 1-1.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Substitution: Daniel Adjessa comes on for Soumaila Bakayoko.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Goal! Eneo Bitri takes the lead 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Atilla Karaoglan.
Egnatia Rrogozhinë bring genuine Champions League momentum into this first leg, having demolished Petrocub 6-1 in their last outing. Celje arrive having played only friendlies so far, making competitive sharpness the defining storyline of this 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Arena Egnatia.
