Celje Through to Next Round After Dramatic Penalty Shootout Against Egnatia
K.L
NK Celje secured their spot in the next qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League in a heart-stopping thriller at Stadion Z'dežele. After a 2-2 draw on the night (5-5 aggregate), the Slovenian champions triumphed 4-1 on penalties to keep their European dreams alive.
Foto: Lovro k - Mr Green
Penalty Drama in Celje: Slovenian Champions Survive Egnatia Thriller
NK Celje have advanced to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League qualifications following an intense and emotional second-leg battle against Albanian side Egnatia. In a match that had everything—goals, a comeback, and extra time—it was the penalty shootout that finally decided the winner in front of a passionate home crowd.
A Night of Twists and Turns
Entering the match after a high-scoring 3-3 draw in the first leg, Both teams knew that every mistake would be costly. The visitors from Albania struck first in the 21st minute through Daniel Adjessa, putting Celje under immediate pressure. However, the Slovenian side showed incredible resilience, finding an equalizer through Mario Kvesic in the 34th minute.
The drama escalated in the second half and early into extra time. Mario Kvesic turned hero once again, converting a penalty in the 97th minute to give Celje a 2-1 lead (5-4 on aggregate). Just when it seemed the match was decided, Egnatia's Geralb Smajli found the net in the 114th minute, leveling the aggregate score yet again at 5-5 and sending the game to a decisive penalty shootout.
Composed Under Pressure
While the 120 minutes were a rollercoaster of emotions, Celje showed nerves of steel during the shootout. Svit Seslar, Artemijus Tutyskinas, Yaya Dukuly, and Ivan Calusic all converted their spot-kicks with clinical precision. On the other side, Egnatia struggled under the spotlight, missing two of their attempts, which allowed Celje to celebrate a 4-1 victory in the shootout.
The victory is a testament to the fighting spirit of Vitor Campelos' squad. Despite the fatigue of a long match and the tactical battle against a very disciplined Egnatia side, Celje managed to keep their composure when it mattered most, much to the delight of the local supporters who stayed late into the night to witness the triumph.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Celje continues its European journey, gaining valuable experience and keeping the hope of a historic Champions League group stage appearance alive. While there are defensive areas to polish, the offensive output and mental toughness shown tonight provide a strong foundation for the challenges to come in the next round.
Sources: Sky Sports, Transfermarkt, FotMob