Levski Sofia beat Kairat Almaty 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round on Tuesday, taking a narrow advantage into next week's return match. The winner of the tie will face AEK Athens in the Champions League playoffs, while the loser drops into the Europa League playoffs, where a likely opponent is PAOK.
Levski controlled the match from the opening whistle at home and pressed for a breakthrough for most of the night. Kairat held firm despite being outplayed, with goalkeeper Anarbekov making saves to keep the score level as Levski's possession climbed to 71 percent.
The breakthrough came deep into stoppage time. In the 90th minute plus three, Serginho struck from distance, and the shot took a deflection past Anarbekov to give Levski the lead moments before the final whistle.
A social media user posting as Leandro Scouse wrote on X that he had said before the match that Levski needed a good result at home, and that they got it: with a goal in the final minutes they beat Kairat 1-0 and would travel to Kazakhstan with a slight advantage, adding that the tie remained open. The account Levski.Report also posted video of Serginho's goal on X.
Second Leg and Playoff Stakes
With the 1-0 scoreline, Levski Sofia takes the first say into the return leg in Kazakhstan on August 11. A win or a draw would send the Bulgarian champions into the Champions League playoffs against AEK Athens. Kairat Almaty must overturn the deficit at home if it wants to avoid dropping into the Europa League playoffs against PAOK.
Lineups
Levski Sofia lined up in a 4-3-3: Vutsov; Neves, Dimitrov, Serafimov (Sula 46'), Tendegia Plata; Trdin, Mubarik, Serginho; Reynaldo (Perea 78'), Oko-Flex (Mitkov 64'), Everton Bala (Stoyanchov 90').
Kairat Almaty also played a 4-3-3: Anarbekov; Mrinsky, Martinovic (Kasymbulat 61'), Lucas Africo, Masiado Mata; Oksanen, Mendonca (Sirobokov 88'), Beybek; Gual (Tapalov 77'), Yukola (Birkumanov 77'), Edmilson (Bekbolat 60').
