Celje vs Ararat-Armenia - Champions League

Celje ground out a patient, controlled performance at home to Ararat-Armenia, ultimately rewarded with two goals in the closing stages after a match that had threatened to end goalless. The Slovenian side edged the statistical picture — 76 dangerous attacks to 42, ten shots to four, and twelve corners to nine — but were unable to convert that territorial dominance into goals until substitute Yaya Dukuly headed home from a corner routine in the 83rd minute. Benjamin Verbic, himself a second-half introduction, made it two just moments later to put the result beyond doubt. Ararat offered very little going forward, managing only one shot on target across the ninety minutes, and were further undermined by a yellow card-heavy afternoon that saw their discipline tested repeatedly. Celje head into the second leg with a two-goal cushion and the knowledge that Ararat must now attack away from home — a significant psychological and tactical advantage heading into the return fixture.