AN ALBANIAN NIGHT IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! MURIQI SENDS FENERBAHÇE INTO THE LEAGUE PHASE, HOXHA SCORES AND STRAKOSHA KEEPS A CLEAN SHEET

The final night of the UEFA Champions League play-offs also carried a strong Albanian presence.

Vedat Muriqi, Arbër Hoxha and Thomas Strakosha all left their mark on Wednesday’s decisive matches. The Kosovo striker led Fenerbahçe to a historic qualification in France, the Albania international scored for Dinamo Zagreb in Norway, while the Albanian national team goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in AEK’s emphatic victory over Levski Sofia.

Fenerbahçe, Viking, AEK Athens and Slovan Bratislava completed the league-phase line-up one day before the draw in Monaco.

Vedat Muriqi ignites Fenerbahçe’s celebrations Lyon 1-2 Fenerbahçe

Aggregate: 2-3

Vedat Muriqi was one of the leading figures of the European night.

Following a 1-1 draw in the opening leg, Fenerbahçe travelled to France determined to return to the main phase of the Champions League after a lengthy absence.

At the most important moment, the Albanian striker from Kosovo delivered.

Muriqi scored the opening goal, silencing the home crowd and placing Fenerbahçe firmly on the path toward qualification.

Only a few minutes later, Archie Brown scored the visitors’ second goal.

Lyon responded after the break and reduced the deficit through Malick Fofana, but the Turkish side resisted until the final whistle. The 2-1 victory sent Fenerbahçe through 3-2 on aggregate.

Fenerbahçe have advanced beyond Champions League qualifying for the first time since the 2008/09 season.

It was also the Turkish club’s first victory in a UEFA two-legged tie against a French team after five attempts.

Arbër Hoxha scores, but Dinamo are overturned Viking 3-1 GNK Dinamo

Aggregate: 5-3

Arbër Hoxha gave Dinamo Zagreb the perfect start to their decisive match in Norway.

The Albania international opened the scoring, raising hopes that the Croatian side could secure a place in the league phase.

Hoxha’s goal temporarily silenced the stadium and changed the balance of the tie. Viking, however, responded through Zlatko Tripić, who equalised from the penalty spot.

The Norwegian side took control after the break. Edvin Austbø found the net with a powerful strike before Tobias Moi’s deflected effort sealed a 3-1 victory and a 5-3 aggregate success.

Despite Dinamo’s elimination, Hoxha concluded his campaign by scoring on one of European football’s most important stages.

For Viking, qualification is historic. The Norwegian club will compete in the main phase of the Champions League for the first time.

Strakosha keeps a clean sheet as Pilios impresses for AEK AEK Athens 4-0 Levski Sofia

Aggregate: 4-0

AEK Athens completely dominated the return match against Levski Sofia and secured their first appearance in the main phase of the Champions League since the 2018/19 season.

Albanian national team goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha started for the Greek side and produced an assured performance to finish the match with a clean sheet.

Strakosha brought calm and confidence to AEK’s defence, responding whenever he was called into action and helping his team control its advantage without allowing the opposition back into the contest.

Left-back Stavros Pilios also delivered an excellent performance. He contributed both defensively and going forward, providing energy and balance on AEK’s left flank.

Luka Jović opened the scoring in the early stages, heading home a cross from Lazaros Rota. Barnabás Varga then scored twice in quick succession to send AEK into the break with a 3-0 lead.

Răzvan Marin converted a penalty after the restart to complete the emphatic 4-0 victory.

The qualification represents a significant personal success for Strakosha, who will now have the opportunity to represent Albanian football in the league phase of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

AEK Athens have now won nine of their last 11 home matches in UEFA competitions, alongside one draw and only one defeat.

Slovan Bratislava qualify after extra time Celje 1-2 Slovan Bratislava, after extra time

Aggregate: 2-3

Slovan Bratislava secured qualification following a dramatic 120-minute battle in Slovenia.

Andraž Šporar put the Slovakian side ahead in the 18th minute before Svit Sešlar equalised from the penalty spot 16 minutes later.

Yaya Dukuly struck the post for Celje, while Roman Čerepkai did the same with a header at the opposite end.

Cristian Martínez scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute following an attack started by Nino Marcelli. The hosts came close to equalising again, but Mario Kvesić’s effort struck the woodwork.

Slovan Bratislava won 2-1 on the night and progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

Wednesday’s results Match Result Aggregate Qualified Lyon vs Fenerbahçe 1-2 2-3 Fenerbahçe Viking vs GNK Dinamo 3-1 5-3 Viking AEK Athens vs Levski Sofia 4-0 4-0 AEK Athens Celje vs Slovan Bratislava 1-2 after extra time 2-3 Slovan Bratislava Muriqi, Hoxha and Strakosha leave their mark

Three Albanian footballers experienced three different stories on the final night of the Champions League play-offs.

Vedat Muriqi scored the goal that opened the way for Fenerbahçe’s qualification. Arbër Hoxha found the net for Dinamo Zagreb, although his team could not protect its advantage. Thomas Strakosha kept a clean sheet and celebrated an emphatic victory with AEK, for whom Stavros Pilios also produced an impressive performance.

It was a night of Albanian goals, saves and emotions on European club football’s biggest stage.