Champions League Qualifiers: Pafos Takes Narrow Lead Over Crvena Zvezda

Pafos stun Crvena Zvezda 2-1 in Champions League qualifier

Pafos FC pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League qualifiers. Learn more about the match highlights and upcoming fixtures.

Pafos FC pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Crvena Zvezda at the Stadion Rajko Mitić, taking a significant step towards qualifying for the UEFA Champions League main draw for the first time in their history. The match was dominated by contentious handball situations, but it was Pafos who struck first, catching the home fans off guard before they had even finished their pre-match display.

 

The match got off to a sensational start as João Correia's speculative shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection and flew past the goalkeeper in the opening minute. Captain Muamer Tanković had set the play in motion, winning the ball back in midfield before feeding Correia, who capitalized on the opportunity to score a stunning goal.

Early Action:

Hosts' Response: The hosts quickly responded, creating a scoring chance of their own. Cherif Ndiaye's header was well-tipped wide by Neofytos Michail, the masked goalkeeper, who made a crucial save to deny the opposition.

Fast-Paced Start: The match began at a frenetic pace, with both teams creating opportunities and showcasing their skills. The early goal and subsequent save set the tone for an intense and competitive encounter.

Club Brugge, Pafos and Qarabağ shine...#UCL pic.twitter.com/Hfc85h0a3T

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 19, 2025

Juan Carlos Carcedo's side suffered a setback when Captain Muamer Tanković went down with an injury just after the 15-minute mark. However, they thought they had doubled their lead around the 30-minute mark when Bruno Felipe appeared to head home Kostas Pileas' delivery. But the VAR intervened, correctly disallowing the goal due to Felipe using his arm to control the ball.

First-Half Wrap-Up:

Crvena Zvezda's Dominance: Despite dominating possession in the second half of the first 45 minutes, Crvena Zvezda struggled to create clear-cut chances. Mahmudu Bajo and Shavy Babicka's long-range efforts were the highlights of their attack.

Pafos' Defensive Solidity: Pafos' defense held strong despite Tanković's injury, limiting Crvena Zvezda to speculative shots and keeping the score at 1-0 in their favor heading into the interval.

Babicka had a golden opportunity to equalize, first in the final minutes of the first half and again shortly after the break. His powerful header from Nair Tiknizyan's cross was impressively palmed away by Neofytos Michail, denying Crvena Zvezda a crucial goal. Pafos responded strongly, pushing forward and earning a penalty in the 51st minute when Timi Elšnik handled the ball in the box. Pêpê stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner, sending Matheus the wrong way and doubling Pafos' lead.

Remarkably, Bruno Felipe could once again not keep his arms down just five minutes later as he inexplicably elbowed a corner away in his own box, therefore gifting a spot-kick to the hosts.

That allowed first half-sub Bruno Duarte to step up and, while Michail saved his initial effort, the Brazilian reacted quickest with a header that crept in via the underside of the bar.

The match saw a contentious moment when Felipe made a crucial block to deny Mirko Ivanić a scoring opportunity. Following this, Crvena Zvezda's captain appealed for a penalty, believing another handball had occurred. However, the VAR intervened and ruled in Pafos' favor, determining the ball had actually struck David Goldar's back.

Crvena Zvezda will need to significantly improve their performance in the second leg next week if they hope to overturn the deficit and reach the Champions League league phase for the third consecutive season. With a 2-1 deficit to overcome, the Serbian outfit will need to capitalize on their home advantage and produce a strong display to progress in the competition.

Upcoming Match:

Pafos FC will look to seal their spot in the Champions League main draw when they host Crvena Zvezda in the return leg. Given their current form, Pafos FC will be confident in their ability to progress.