The first qualification round of the Champions League 2025-2026 has wrapped up, showcasing an array of both surprising upsets and expected victories. Among the standout moments, Ħamrun Spartans stunned the football world by eliminating Žalgiris Vilnius on penalties (10-11) after each team won their respective home games 2-0. This thrilling sequence of events allowed Ħamrun to advance, casting a spotlight on their remarkable display of resilience and skill.
Additionally, teams such as Malmö FF , FK RFS , Breiðablik , and Hšk Zrinjski Mostar solidified their reputations by delivering commanding performances throughout both rounds. Notably, KF Drita proved their worth by overcoming FC Differdange with an aggregate score of 4-2, affirming that they belong on the continental stage. This preliminary round has indicated a fiercely competitive landscape in the Champions League , with clubs from smaller footballing nations eager to make their mark.
During this qualification stage, some encounters were intensely contested. The matchup between FCSB and Inter Club D’Escaldes demonstrated this perfectly; the Romanians had to fight hard despite initially gaining an advantage in the first leg. The team Kups advanced flawlessly, not conceding any goals, while FK Shkëndija triumphed over the Welsh side The New Saints with a well-executed away victory. Furthermore, FC Noah from Armenia managed to challenge the Montenegrin club Budućnost , ultimately securing their spot in the next round.
The competition continued to excite as Shelbourne FC from Ireland emerged victorious in a close contest against their Northern Irish rivals, Linfield FC , wrapping up their qualification with a score of 1-0 in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the second leg. Last but not least, Ludogorets Razgrad and Dinamo Minsk kept fans on the edge of their seats, drawing games with a final qualification decided in extra time (1-0, 2-2), allowing the Bulgarians to progress.
All the Results of the 1st Qualification Round
- Ħamrun Spartans (MLT) vs Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) (2-0, 0-2, 10-11 on penalties)
- Kups (FIN) vs FC Milsami (MDA) (1-0, 0-0)
- The New Saints (WAL) vs FK Shkëndija (MKD) (0-0, 1-2)
- FC Iberia 1999 (GEO) vs Malmö FF (SWE) (1-3, 1-3)
- Levadia Tallinn (EST) vs FK RFS (LVA) (0-1, 0-1)
- KF Drita (KOS) vs FC Differdange 03 (LUX) (1-0, 3-2)
- Víkingur Gøta (FRO) vs Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) (2-3, 0-1)
- KF Egnatia Rrogozhinë (ALB) vs Breiðablik (ISL) (1-0, 0-5)
- FCSB (ROU) vs Inter Club D’Escaldes (AND) (3-1, 1-2)
- AC Virtus (SMR) vs Hšk Zrinjski Mostar (BOS) (0-2, 1-2)
- Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) vs Kaïrat Almaty (KAZ) (1-1, 0-2)
- FC Noah (ARM) vs Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) (1-0, 2-2)
- Shelbourne FC (IRL) vs Linfield FC (NIR) (1-0, 1-1)
- Ludogorets Razgrad (BGR) vs Dinamo Minsk (BLR) (1-0, 2-2 AP)
The 2nd Qualification Round Program
As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for the matches that lie ahead:
Champions Route
- FK RFS (LVA) vs Malmö FF (SWE)
- Ħamrun Spartans (MLT) vs Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
- Paphos (CYP) vs Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
- Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) vs Red Star Belgrade (SRB)
- FC Noah (ARM) vs Ferencváros (HUN)
- Lech Poznań (POL) vs Breiðablik (ISL)
- FC Copenhagen (DEN) vs KF Drita (KOS)
- HNK Rijeka (CRO) vs Ludogorets Razgrad (BGR)
- FK Shkëndija (MKD) vs FCSB (ROU)
- Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs Hšk Zrinjski Mostar (BOS)
- Shelbourne FC (IRL) vs Qarabağ FK (AZE)
- Kups (FIN) vs Kaïrat Almaty (KAZ)
League Route
- SK Brann (NOR) vs RB Salzburg (AUT)
- Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) vs Servette FC (SUI)
- Rangers FC (SCO) vs Panathinaikos (GRE)
This year’s Champions League is poised to be one of the most thrilling yet, with underdog stories and heavyweight clashes promising an exhilarating tournament. As clubs battle their way through the qualification rounds, fans are eagerly anticipating which teams will rise to the occasion and ultimately stake their claim in European football’s most prestigious competition.