Almaty's Kairat won 2-0 in Niksic in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the 2026/27 Champions League. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
After two defeats (in Almaty and at home), Montenegrin side Sutjeska conceded the ticket to the second qualifying round to the Kazakh team.
Match Overview
First qualifying round. Second leg. July 15
**SUTJESKA (Niksic, Montenegro) – KAIRAT (Almaty, Kazakhstan) 0:2 (0:0)**
Goals: Bekbolat 68 (0:1), Jorginho 82 penalty (0:2). Sent off: Raznatovic (S, 79)
Young Kairat player Ismail Bekbolat, who came on as a substitute and performed well in the Almaty match, started the game in the starting lineup this time. He became one of the most active players for the visitors in the first half. At least, the Montenegrins, who had carefully studied the first match, fouled him most often.
Trying to respond attack for attack, Rafael Urazbakhtin's charges looked more solid. However, there were no truly dangerous moments before the break. Although in shots on target, the Almaty side led 2:0. As did in corners – 4:2.
After the break, Sutjeska predictably increased the tempo, but Kairat was ready for it. Withstanding the pressure, our players established play in midfield. In the 70th minute, the hero of the tie, Bekbolat, actively pressing, dispossessed the hosts' goalkeeper Vlado Giljen and calmly rolled the ball into the net – 1:0.
Ten minutes later, Polish referee Wojciech Myc, advised by video assistants, awarded a penalty for handball against the hosts. Jorginho did not miss from the spot – 2:0.
The remaining time of the match was played in a 9x11 format for the Montenegrins. Andrija Raznatovic received a second yellow card for attempting to interfere with the penalty kick. Additionally, Kenroy Campbell left the field due to injury. By that time, the hosts had exhausted their substitution limit. Playing with a man down, Sutjeska hit the frame of the visitors' goal and even earned a penalty. However, the referee canceled the spot kick after a video review.
Next Round
Having won 2:1 and 2:0, in the second qualifying round, Kairat will play against Cypriot champions Omonia on July 22 and 29. The Kazakhs will play the first match away.
To qualify again for the Champions League group stage, Kairat, as in the 2025/26 season, needs to pass three more qualifying rounds.
Twenty-nine teams will automatically qualify for the Champions League league phase. Another seven participants of the league phase will be determined by the qualification, which will end with the play-off round in August. Some teams eliminated at different stages of qualification will continue their fight in the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers.
The matches of the Champions League league phase will take place from September 8 to January 27 of next year. The final of the 2026/27 Champions League will be held on June 5, 2027, at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
The current trophy holder, French Paris Saint-Germain, defeated English Arsenal in the final match on May 30 in Budapest on penalties.
Tomorrow, with the second leg matches of the first qualifying round of the Conference League, the European campaign will continue for Astana and Yelimay. Kazakhstan Cup winner Tobol will enter the fight from the second qualifying round.