Big away win

Shelbourne (Ireland) – Qarabağ – 0:3

Leandro Andrade, 13'; Aleksei Kasсhuk, 81'; Nariman Akhundzade, 85'

Qarabağ played their first match of the 2025/26 season. Once again, our team began its campaign in the UEFA Champions League. Entering the competition from the second qualifying round, the team coached by Gurban Gurbanov played the first leg away from home.

Visiting Shelbourne in Dublin, our team started the match with the following lineup: 97. Fabian Buntic, 2. Mateus Silva, 13. Bahlul Mustafazade, 18. Dani Bolt, 27. Toral Bayramov, 35. Pedro Bicalho, 20. Kady Borges, 11. Emmanuel Addai, 10. Abdellah Zoubir (c), 15. Leandro Andrade, 90. Nariman Akhundzade.

The match began with mutual attacks, and our players managed to score an early goal. The Zoubir–Bayramov–Andrade passing sequence was successfully completed by the latter. After opening the score, our team took full control of the game. Maintaining possession, our players applied pressure both from the flanks and through the center. There were several opportunities to extend the lead in the first half, but either the final shots were inaccurate or the opposing goalkeeper made timely saves.

In the second half, overall control remained with our team. Numerous passes often led to dangerous moments near the opponent’s goal. The continuous attacks paid off in the final 10 minutes. Within five minutes, both Aleksei Kasсhuk and Nariman Akhundzade managed to get on the scoresheet. Thus, our team secured a dominant 3–0 away win.

It should be noted that the second leg of the second qualifying round against Shelbourne will be held on July 30 in Baku. The match will take place at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium and will kick off at 20:00.