UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round
Shelbourne 0 - 3 FT Qarabag
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Shelbourne
Goalkeepers
L. Healy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
S. Gannon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Ledwidge
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Barrett
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
T. Wilson
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. McInroy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Caffrey
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Lunney
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Coote
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
H. Wood
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Odubeko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
W. Speel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Bone
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Norris
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Temple
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Chapman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Coyle
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. O'Sullivan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Martin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kelly
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Topcu
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Boyd
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Offor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Qarabag
Goalkeepers
F. Buntic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
B. Mustafazada
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Matheus Silva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Bayramov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
A. Zoubir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Dani Bolt
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedro Bicalho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Addai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Kady Borges
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Leandro Andrade
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
N. Akhundzade
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
S. Mahammadaliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Kochalski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Huseynov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Cafarquliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Huseynov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Medina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Kashchuk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Qurbanly
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/07/2025 | Shelbourne | 0 - 3 | Qarabag | UEFA Champions League | Tolka Park |
23/07/2025
Shelbourne Win
Qarabag Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Qarabag's Clinical Masterclass Ends Shelbourne's European Fairytale
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 31/100. This wasn't a match—it was a reckoning, as Qarabag's ruthless finishing exposed Shelbourne's Champions League inexperience in front of 4,500 at Tolka Park.
The Early Blow
Leandro Andrade struck with surgical precision in the 13th minute, converting T. Bayramov's assist to hand the visitors a dream start. The goal arrived with such speed and efficiency that Shelbourne's defensive shape simply crumbled. From that moment, the intensity shifted decisively toward the Azerbaijani side, who dominated possession and territory with the swagger of a team three tiers above their opponents in European pedigree.
The Turning Point: Late-Game Cruelty
Shelbourne fought valiantly through 80 minutes, keeping the scoreline respectable and refusing to capitulate. But in the final stretch, when legs tired and concentration wavered, Qarabag struck twice in four minutes. O. Kashchuk finished clinically in the 81st minute, and N. Akhundzade added the third in the 85th, both times finding the net with the composure of seasoned European campaigners. The stakes had already shifted; these were goals that buried any lingering hope.
The Narrative
This was David versus Goliath, except Goliath came prepared. Shelbourne's journey to the Champions League proper represented a genuine achievement for Irish football, yet the gulf in experience proved insurmountable. Qarabag, despite sitting 22nd in their group with just seven points from six games, possessed the technical balance and finishing edge that separated European regulars from cup-run underdogs. The 3-0 scoreline flattered neither team—it simply reflected the difference in quality when precision meets opportunity.
Key Questions
How did Qarabag break through so early?
Bayramov's assist found Andrade in space; clinical finishing ended any hope of a Shelbourne upset before 15 minutes had elapsed.
Did Shelbourne have chances?
The Irish side competed until the 80th minute, but lacked the cutting edge to convert half-chances against a defensively sound Qarabag side.
What does this mean for Qarabag's campaign?
A statement victory. Three goals away from home inject momentum into a campaign that had stuttered with inconsistency.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Tactical Chess at Tolka Park
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 7/100. Survival is the only priority as two balanced sides look to navigate the treacherous waters of Champions League qualification.
The Setup
The second qualifying round brings Shelbourne face-to-face with the perennial continental competitors Qarabag on July 23, 2025. This fixture is defined by its competitive Balance, as neither side enters Tolka Park with a definitive advantage. While the Stars power might be lower than the tournament's later stages, the Stakes remain immense for two clubs dreaming of the revamped league stage. Qarabag arrives with a patchy run of Form, having recorded three losses in their last five outings, suggesting a defensive fragility that the Irish hosts will look to exploit.
Key Battle
The narrative of this tie will be written in the midfield transition. The Shelbourne defensive unit will focus on frustrating the visitors' creative engine, aiming to force errors in the central third. Qarabag typically relies on high possession and patient recycling of the ball, but they must be wary of being caught on the break at a venue where the home crowd can become a significant factor. It is a battle of Irish resilience against Azerbaijani technical persistence.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey opening forty-five minutes with both managers prioritising a clean sheet over risky ventures forward. Qarabag has the quality to find the net, but their recent defensive lapses suggest Shelbourne will find their own opening. A 1-1 draw seems the most logical outcome, leaving everything to be decided in the second leg as both teams fight to eventually reach the top-24 playoff line.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes, if you enjoy high-pressure knockout football where tactical discipline and defensive organization are the primary focus.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw. Both sides are likely to play conservatively to ensure they remain in the tie for the return leg.
Where are Shelbourne and Qarabag in the league table?
This is a knockout qualifying round; there is no league table. The winner advances further toward the Champions League league stage.
What is Qarabag's current form?
Inconsistent (WLLDL). They have shown they can score goals but have struggled to maintain defensive solidity in recent matches.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner progresses to the third qualifying round, moving closer to the lucrative league stage and direct qualification opportunities.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.