Kauno Žalgiris produced a memorable 1-0 victory over Turkish giants Besiktas in Kaunas, but their UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign came to an end as they lost the tie 1-3 on aggregate.
After suffering a 3-0 defeat in Istanbul, Željko Sopic’s side faced a huge task in the second leg, but they delivered a brave and disciplined performance in front of their home supporters.
Besiktas controlled possession for long spells in the first half and created an early opening when Salih Ozcan tested Deividas Mikelionis from the edge of the box, but the Kauno Žalgiris goalkeeper was equal to it. The visitors continued to threaten through set-pieces and nearly took the lead in the 34th minute when Ilhan Fakili rose highest inside the penalty area, only to see his header crash against the post.
Kauno Žalgiris also had their moments. Their best chance of the first half came in the 17th minute when Gabriel Debeljuh was left with only the goalkeeper to beat after a clever pass, but the Croatian forward poked his effort narrowly wide of the post. Shortly afterwards, Ivan Fiolic also found space inside the box, but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Sopic made a change at the interval, introducing Renan Oliveira in place of Debeljuh, and the Brazilian forward would go on to decide the match. Before that, Beşiktaş had chances to take control, with Vaclav Černy firing wide and Dušan Vlahović seeing a tame effort saved by Mikelionis.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute. Oliveira found himself through on goal after a great pass from Mikelionis and finished calmly to give Kauno Žalgiris a deserved lead on the night.
Beşiktaş responded with changes and pushed for an equaliser, but Mikelionis again stood firm, denying Michael Murillo in the 69th minute. At the other end, Kauno Žalgiris nearly doubled their advantage late on when Oliveira controlled a fine pass inside the box and saw his effort blocked, before Aldayr Hernandez headed straight at the goalkeeper from the resulting corner.
There was no late drama as Kauno Žalgiris held on for a famous 1-0 win. It was not enough to overturn the first-leg deficit, but the Lithuanian champions ended their Europa League run with pride, beating Besiktas on the night before bowing out 1-3 on aggregate.
Tomorrow in the draw they will get to know their opponents in the UEFA Conference League phase.
FK Kauno Žalgiris vs Besiktas – 1-0 (0-0) 1-3 on aggregate
Goal: Oliveira 64′
