UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round
AEK Larnaca 2 - 1 FT Celje
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
AEK Larnaca
Midfielders
Z. Leban
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Juanjo Nieto
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Z. Karnicnik
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Vuklisevic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tutyskinas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Zabukovnik
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Kotnik
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Avdyli
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Kvesic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Iosifov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Kovacevic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
L. Kolar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Zorko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Hrka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Vodeb
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Jevsenak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Sturm
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Chidi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Vidovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Dzevahiric
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Z. Zuzek
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Bejger
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Celje
Midfielders
Z. Alomerovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Ekpolo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Milicevic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Roberge
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Garcia
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ledes Gustavo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Pons
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Rohden
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Y. Chacon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Angielski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Ivanovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Paraskevas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Demetriou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Ioannou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jimmy Suarez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Miramon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Danny Henriques
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Naoum
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Thoma
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Loukaidis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Gerasimou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mathias Gonzalez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Gnali
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/24/2025 | Celje | 1 - 1 | AEK Larnaca | UEFA Europa League | Stadion Z'dežele |
07/24/2025
AEK Larnaca Win
Celje Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Larnaca Draw First Blood in Europe
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 41/100. Y. Chacon's brilliant attacking masterclass gives the Cypriot hosts a fragile advantage in a European tie that remains dangerously wide open.
Cautious Chess in Cyprus
The Stakes were unmistakably high as European knockout football returned to AEK Arena. With a coveted place in the main competition hanging in the balance, neither side wanted to make the fatal first mistake. The opening half-hour was a masterclass in tactical preservation. AEK Larnaca edged possession, methodically circulating the ball across the backline while searching for gaps in a rigid Slovenian setup. Celje deployed a resilient low block, perfectly content to absorb the early pressure and look for quick transitions. The Balance of the tie hung on a knife-edge. The sweltering Mediterranean conditions demanded a measured tempo, turning the pitch into a giant chessboard. Every challenge was calculated. Every forward run was disciplined. It was exactly the sort of tense, grinding affair you expect in a crucial European qualifier, waiting for one moment of individual brilliance to shatter the gridlock.
Chacon Cracks the Code
That vital moment arrived just as the halftime whistle loomed. In the 43rd minute, the visitors finally blinked. K. Angielski found a rare pocket of space just outside the penalty area, threading a perfectly weighted pass through a thicket of defenders. Y. Chacon timed his run impeccably and applied a clinical finish to break the deadlock. That goal completely changed the dressing room team talks. Emerging for the second half, the hosts played with visible freedom. The Intensity of their pressing game surged, suffocating the visitors high up the pitch. Chacon, brimming with confidence, transitioned from goalscorer to architect in the 67th minute. He carved open the retreating backline to serve A. Garcia, who confidently doubled the advantage. At 2-0, the Cypriot outfit looked unstoppable, orchestrating the midfield and seemingly putting the tie to bed before the return leg even kicked off.
A Lifeline at the Death
European football is notoriously unforgiving of complacency. Just as the home faithful began celebrating a flawless first-leg performance, the narrative violently shifted. Celje had offered very little attacking threat, but they stayed in the fight. In the 88th minute, a lapse in concentration from the hosts provided the ultimate punishment. A. Chidi exploited a momentary gap, driving forward to deliver a precise ball to M. Kvesic. The resulting finish silenced the AEK Arena. This late strike transformed a comfortable procession into an evenly-matched 2-1 thriller. The final whistle brought mixed emotions. Larnaca take a victory into the second leg, but that late defensive lapse casts a long shadow. The Slovenian side will travel back home knowing that a one-goal deficit is entirely manageable. The stage is perfectly set for a dramatic conclusion next week.
Key Questions
Who scored the opening goal of the match?
Y. Chacon scored the first goal for AEK Larnaca in the 43rd minute, assisted by K. Angielski.
How did Celje get back into the tie?
M. Kvesic scored a crucial late goal for Celje in the 88th minute after being set up by A. Chidi.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Europa League Dreams Hang in the Balance
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. While this qualifier lacks marquee names, both sides' chaotic defensive records promise an entertaining, goal-heavy scrap for survival.
The Setup
The quest for European football hits the AEK Arena on July 31, 2025. Neither AEK Larnaca nor Celje boast high Stars ratings, but what they lack in global recognition, they make up for in sheer entertainment value. Our metrics show a Form rating fueled entirely by goals—both teams are finding the back of the net consistently, averaging almost four combined goals per game. However, this offensive output masks incredibly porous backlines. The Stakes here in the Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round are straightforward: win to keep the continental dream alive. Yet, a modest Balance suggests one side might quickly overwhelm the other if the game opens up early.
Key Battle
Without standout individuals dictating the narrative, the crucial showdown lies between the home attack and the visiting defense. Celje have been leaking two goals per game, meaning AEK Larnaca's frontline will look to exploit those massive gaps through quick transitions. Conversely, the away side's wingers must capitalise on the hosts' own defensive frailties on the counter.
Our Prediction
We expect a high-scoring draw, perhaps 2-2. Both sides will trade blows, but neither defence looks capable of shutting the door, leaving the tie wide open for the return leg.