Qarabağ FK reach Champions League group stage for second time

Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ FK have made history once again, becoming the country’s only club to qualify twice for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Playing at Baku’s Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Qarabağ FK overcame a determined Ferencváros side. The visitors opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Lenny Joseph found the net following a VAR-reviewed play. Qarabağ FK responded in the 25th, with Leandro Andrade levelling the match with a left-footed strike from inside the box.

Abdellah Zoubir gave Qarabağ FK the lead just before half-time, scoring in added time after a well-timed assist from Andrade. In the second half, Barnabás Varga equalised from the penalty spot in the 55th minute, before Alex Tóth added a third for Ferencváros with a free-kick in the 81st. Despite the 3-2 loss on the night, the Horsemen progressed 5-4 on aggregate.

Qarabağ FK’s journey to the group stage has been dominant. They beat Shelbourne 4-0 on aggregate in the second qualifying round (3-0 away, 1-0 home) and thrashed Shkëndija 6-1 in the third (1-0 away, 5-1 home). With five wins from six games, they have scored 15 goals and conceded just five.

This is Qarabağ FK’s first appearance in the Champions League group stage since 2017/18, when they held Atlético de Madrid to two draws but finished fourth in their section. They remain the only Azerbaijani club to have ever reached this level.

Ferencváros, aiming for a third group stage appearance, had defeated Noah and Ludogorets in earlier qualifying rounds but fell short in Baku. Varga finishes the qualifying campaign with five goals in five matches, but his side now drop out of the competition.

Qarabağ FK represent the city of Aghdam, a region that saw decades of displacement and destruction. Although based in Baku for home matches, the club has become a powerful symbol of Azerbaijani resilience.

Their qualification for Europe’s top competition is seen not only as a sporting milestone but also a moment of national pride. Their return to the Champions League is being hailed by fans as a significant step forward for football in the country.

Copied