“Svit Seslar converts a penalty to give Celje the lead, a reward for sustained pressure that included three corners in the opening twenty minutes.”
Pivotal“Artur Serobyan equalises for Ararat-Armenia to make it 1-1, a crucial response that kept the hosts in the tie just before half-time.”
Pivotal“Manuel Tulipa is booked for an argument, adding a layer of tension to the closing stages of the first half with both sides level and emotions running high.”
“Substitute Carlos França scores within eleven minutes of coming on to give Ararat-Armenia a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish, punishing Celje's failure to convert their overwhelming possession advantage.”
Pivotal
Ararat-Armenia
Celje
Ararat-Armenia pulled off a disciplined, if fortunate, home victory over a Celje side that dominated almost every statistical measure yet ultimately had little to show for it. Celje were the better team from the first whistle, recording 15 shots to Ararat's eight and generating 102 dangerous attacks compared to just 57 from the hosts — and they duly took the lead through Svit Seslar's 22nd-minute penalty after a phase of sustained pressure. Ararat responded with urgency, however, with Artur Serobyan levelling on 38 minutes to restore parity before the break, a goal that carried huge psychological weight given the visitors' territorial advantage. The match turned definitively in the 70th minute when substitute Carlos França, introduced after the hour mark, converted to make it 2-1 — a moment of clinical efficiency that belied Ararat's overall inferiority in the contest and secured a famous Champions League win that will lift the Armenian side's European campaign considerably.
How entertaining was this match?
Yellow card for Papa Daniel.
Alioune Ndour comes on for Hugo Oliveira.
Paul Ayongo is substituted off for Sandro Cesar Cordovil de Lima.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
On comes Rudi Pozeg Vancas, off goes Armandas Kucys.
On Rudi Pozeg Vancas, off Armandas Kucys.
On comes Alwyn Tera, off goes Maxence Carlier.
Carlos Franca comes on for Artur Serobyan.
Mario KvesicYellow CardMario Kvesic receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Yaya Dukuly is substituted off for Veton Tusha.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Yellow card issued.
Goal! Artur Serobyan scores, making it 1-1.
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
Corner kick awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Ivan Kruzliak.
Ararat-Armenia host Slovenian side Celje in the Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round first leg, with the home side holding a slight edge on paper and xG models pointing toward a tight, low-scoring affair. Both teams arrive having survived nervy second-round exits, making this a clash of battle-hardened survivors with plenty at stake for a place in the playoff round.
