Late heroics from Zrinjski counted for nothing as Urartu secured a 3-2 win in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League 1st qualifying round tie at Stadion Bijeli Brijeg on Tuesday thanks to a crucial Artem Maksimenko goal to pull level on aggregate (3-3), but the home side ultimately prevailed 4-3 on penalties to advance to the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Substitute Maksimenko made an impact off the bench and gave Urartu the lead in time added on at the end of the first extra period. The attacker combined with Aras Özbiliz.
Dmitri Gunko's side also found the net courtesy of Narek Grigoryan, with Nemanja Bilbija and Tomislav Kis on target for the hosts.
Bilbija had given Zrinjski the lead after 27 minutes. The striker finished after combining with defender Josip Corluka. That lead, however, did not last as Grigoryan hauled the sides level after 74 minutes for the first of his two goals. Eduardo supplied the assist.
Grigoryan kept his cool to convert a penalty in stoppage time with his second goal that enabled Urartu to edge ahead for the first time. It was 2-2 after Kis restored parity again with a penalty in the 94th minute. But there was a further twist as Urartu secured victory 14 minutes later thanks to Maksimenko.
Highlights
WHAT IT MEANS:
Zrinjski are through to the 2nd Qualifying Round, while Urartu will be transferred to the Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round.
IN THE GOALS:
Bilbija, Grigoryan, Kis, and Maksimenko rank joint first early in the 2023/2024 Champions League season with zero goal.
INJURY CONCERN:
No players were removed due to injury.
VAR IN ACTION:
No calls were reversed as a result of VAR.