The race for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage is heating up, with ten clubs securing their place in the play-off round after Tuesday’s second-leg fixtures in the third qualifying stage.
The results set the stage for some high-stakes encounters as Europe’s elite competition inches closer to its main draw.
Turkish giants Fenerbahçe were among the biggest winners of the night, overcoming Dutch side Feyenoord in a thrilling encounter.
After losing the first leg 2-1 in Rotterdam, Fenerbahçe roared back in front of their home crowd with a 5-2 win, sealing a dramatic 6-4 aggregate triumph. Their attacking flair proved too much for Feyenoord’s backline, with a late flurry of goals confirming their passage.
Cypriot outfit Pafos also made headlines, continuing their dream run in Europe. They cruised past Dynamo Kyiv with a 2-0 home victory, completing a 3-0 aggregate success.
ALSO READ:Â Super Cup: PSG target fifth trophy against Tottenham
It marks another setback for the Ukrainian club, who has struggled to recapture its past European form in recent seasons.
Elsewhere, other teams booked their spots in the next round with solid aggregate wins. Swiss side Young Boys and Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise each held their nerve in tough away environments to edge through, while Sparta Prague displayed dominance over both legs to comfortably advance.
In one of the more tense ties, Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg battled to a narrow victory over their opponents, relying on a strong defensive display to protect their first-leg advantage. The result ensures Salzburg remain on course for yet another Champions League group stage appearance.
French club Lens also impressed, showing resilience and efficiency in front of goal to outclass their rivals. With a well-balanced blend of youth and experience, they will now turn their focus to the play-offs, where the stakes — and the pressure — will be even higher.
The remaining spots in the play-off stage were claimed by Dinamo Zagreb, Rangers, and Braga, who all navigated tricky second-leg assignments with professionalism and grit. Each side will now prepare for decisive fixtures that will determine whether they make it into the lucrative and prestigious group stage.
With the play-off round set to kick off next week, fans can expect even more drama as the final qualification hurdle approaches. For the ten clubs still in contention, the dream of hearing the Champions League anthem on matchday one is now just 180 minutes away.
Below are all the results of the Champions League third-round second-leg qualifying games:
Champions Path:
Qarabağ 5-1 Shkëndija (agg: 6-1)
Copenhagen 5-0 Malmö (agg: 5-0)
Pafos 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv (agg: 3-0)
Slovan Bratislava 1-0 Kairat Almaty (agg: 1-1 – Kairat win 4-3 on penalties)
Ferencváros 3-0 Ludogorets (agg: 3-0)
Crvena Zvezda 1-1 Lech Poznań (agg: 4-2)
League Path:
Viktoria Plzeň 2-1 Rangers (agg: 2-4)
Club Brugge 3-2 Salzburg (agg: 4-2)
Fenerbahçe 5-2 Feyenoord (agg: 6-4)
Benfica 2-0 Nice (agg: 4-0)
READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNEÂ
