Lithuanian champions Kauno Žalgiris booked their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after producing a dramatic late comeback to defeat Kosovo champions Drita 3-2 away from home, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Kaunas, Željko Sopic’s side travelled to Kosovo knowing only a victory would guarantee progression. They made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Amine Benchaib, once again at the heart of Kauno Žalgiris’ attacking play, delivered an excellent pass into the path of Vykintas Slivka, who unleashed a powerful finish to put the Lithuanian champions ahead after just nine minutes and give them the aggregate advantage.
The lead, however, lasted little more than ten minutes. Drita responded through a swift attack down the right wing before Liridon Balaj squared the ball across goal for Arbas Manaj, whose first-time pass found Igball Jashari to finish from close range and level both the match and the tie.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second half and turned the game around eight minutes after the restart. Following a corner kick, Manaj found space inside the penalty area to head Drita into a 2-1 lead, leaving Kauno Žalgiris needing two goals to avoid elimination.
With time running out, the Lithuanian champions refused to give up. Their persistence was rewarded in the 82nd minute when Slivka struck for a second time, finishing clinically to level the match at 2-2 and breathe new life into the visitors’ European hopes.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded Kauno Žalgiris a penalty for a handball inside the area. Benchaib stepped up under immense pressure and calmly converted from the spot, sending the Lithuanian champions into wild celebrations as they reclaimed the aggregate lead with virtually the last meaningful kick of the match.
It marks a memorable achievement for Kauno Žalgiris, who are competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Having survived a dramatic encounter in Kosovo, Sopic’s side have now extended their European adventure in Champions League by at least another round.
The reward is a second qualifying round meeting with Faroese champions KÍ Klaksvík, who eliminated Luxembourg’s FC Atert Bissen with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
