UEFA Champions League…17/07/2019

The second legs of the first qualifying round in the 2020 UEFA Champions League have been completed this week.

Airtricity League champions Dundalk are through to the second qualifying round of the 2020 Champions League following a dramatic penalty shoot-out success over Latvian champions FC Riga this afternoon. The sides played out a scoreless draw in the first leg played in Oriel Park last week and the same scoreline prevailed after extra-time in this Wednesday afternoon’s second leg in the Skonto Stadium. Dundalk progressed by five goals to four in the penalty shoot-out which saw five spot kicks missed. Dundalk will now face Azerbaijan champions Qarabag in the second qualifying round with the first leg set for Oriel Park next Wednesday evening.

Northern Ireland’s Premier League Champions Linfield exited the competition on a six nil aggregate scoreline following their four nil defeat by Norwegian champions Rosenborg in this afternoon’s second leg played in the Lerkendal Stadium, Trondheim.

Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic progressed to the next round on a  five two aggregate scoreline with a two one victory over Sarajevo of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Celtic Park this Wednesday evening. Jonny Hayes was an unused substitute but recent signing Luca Connell was not included in the matchday squad. The Scottish champions will next face Nomme Kalju, the Estonian champions, with the first leg set for Glasgow next Wednesday evening.  

Welsh champions The New Saints forfeited a two goal lead by conceding twice in the final three minutes of their first leg home tie against KF Feronikelt of Kosova and faced an uphill task in the second leg this Tuesday evening. They were equal to the task, with Dubliner Dean Ebbe, a 65th minute substitute, scoring the only goal two minutes after his introduction to send them through to the second qualifying round where they will face Danish champions FC Copenhagen with the home first leg set for next week.