Shkëndija Crush Europa FC in Gibraltar, Secure Qualification with Emphatic 5-0 Victory

GIBRALTAR – Albanian club KF Shkëndija, representing North Macedonia in European competition, took a giant step toward the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League after a commanding 5-0 away victory over Europa FC in the first leg of the first qualifying round.

Shkëndija delivered a dominant performance at Europa Point Stadium, controlling the match from start to finish and giving the hosts virtually no chance to respond.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, when Fahd Richard Ndzengue Moubeti found the back of the net following an assist from Endrit Krasniqi, giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Fabrice Tamba doubled Shkëndija's advantage in the 52nd minute. The striker continued his outstanding display by scoring again in the 75th minute, completing his brace and putting the tie beyond Europa FC's reach.

Substitute Almir Kryeziu added a fourth goal in the 83rd minute, before veteran forward Besart Ibraimi completed the rout with a goal in the 88th minute, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 victory.

Aside from a yellow card shown to Anes Meliqi in the 20th minute, Shkëndija dominated every aspect of the match, controlling possession, dictating the tempo, and creating numerous scoring opportunities while keeping their opponents comfortably at bay.

The emphatic result has all but secured qualification for the Albanian side to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, with the return leg on July 16 in North Macedonia expected to be little more than a formality.

Goalscorers 28' Fahd Richard Ndzengue Moubeti (0-1) 52' Fabrice Tamba (0-2) 75' Fabrice Tamba (0-3) 83' Almir Kryeziu (0-4) 88' Besart Ibraimi (0-5)

The convincing victory underlines Shkëndija's European ambitions and has earned widespread praise from regional media, with many considering the Red and Blacks to have one foot firmly in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.