FK Kauno Žalgiris have made history by advancing to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League for the very first time. Under the guidance of head coach Eivinas Černiauskas, the Lithuanian side defeated Icelandic giants Valur Reykjavik 2:1 in an away fixture, securing their place in the next stage with an 3:2 aggregate win where they will face Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali.
From the opening whistle, Kauno Žalgiris looked the sharper side, nearly finding the net early through Amine Benchaib, who was halted at the last moment. The visitors continued to apply pressure with several long-range efforts from Temur Chogadze and Damjan Pavlović. Dejan Georgijević also came close in a dangerous sequence.
After 15 minutes, Valur mounted a threatening attack of their own, but Žalgiris keeper Tomas Švedkauskas was up to the task, making a crucial save.
The Lithuanian side’s persistence paid off as they opened the scoring midway through the first half. Chogadze, receiving a precise pass from Pavlović, adjusted the ball and the Georgian curled a brilliant left-footed strike into the far corner – 1-0.
Kauno Žalgiris came close to doubling their lead immediately after the goal, with Benchaib and Chogadze both testing the goalkeeper again, but failed to convert.
Right before halftime, Švedkauskas again denied a long-range shot from Valur. However, in added time, the hosts managed to equalize following a set piece which was scored by Valur’s Omarsson – 1-1.
Just six minutes into the second half, Kauno Žalgiris reclaimed the lead. Benchaib dazzled with a solo run, outmaneuvered a defender, and calmly slotted the ball into the net in the 51st minute – 2-1.
As the match wore on, Valur created two more dangerous chances, but Švedkauskas stood firm between the posts, securing the victory for the visitors.
With this historic win, Kauno Žalgiris advances to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League for the first time in their history, where a new challenge awaits against Arda Kardzhali of Bulgaria who eliminated Finnish side HJK earlier today.
Valur vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Omarsson 45+4′ | Chogadze 38′, Benchaib 51′
VAL: Schram, Omarsson, Eyjolfsson, Antonsson, J.Palsson (B.Jonsson 84′), J.Jonsson (Hoti 84′), Heimisson, Sigurdsson (Johannsson 70′), Haraldsson, Skoglund (A.Palsson 70′), Pedersen
KAU: Švedkauskas, Bah-Traore, Toolordava, Hernandez, Edokpolor, Sirgedas (Lekiatas 90+2′), Pavlovic (Armanavičius 64′), Ourega, Benchaib (Burdzilauskas 90+2′), Chogadze (Černych 75′), Georgijevic (Jansonas 64′)
