Alashkert beat Yelimay in dramatic penalty shootout to reach Conference League second round

Armenian club Alashkert advanced to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League after defeating Kazakhstan’s Yelimay in a penalty shootout.

The second leg in Semey ended 2-2 after extra time. The teams also remained level at 3-3 on aggregate, before Alashkert prevailed 6-5 in the shootout.

The hero of the shootout was Alashkert goalkeeper Arsen Beglaryan, who saved Dubán Palacio’s decisive penalty.

Alashkert opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute. Forward Momo Touré took advantage of his opportunity to put the visitors ahead. However, the Armenian side’s lead did not last long, as Akmal Bakhtiyarov restored parity in the 11th minute.

Alashkert attacked more frequently for the remainder of the match and created several good chances but failed to make their advantage count. Yelimay mainly relied on counterattacks, which occasionally posed a serious threat to Beglaryan’s goal.

Regulation time ended 1-1, sending the match into extra time. In the 95th minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty, which Hrvoje Ilić converted.

Despite conceding, Alashkert continued to fight and rescued the tie in the final minute of extra time. In the 121st minute, 18-year-old Daouda Togola scored his first goal for the Armenian club to send the match to a penalty shootout.

Alashkert won the shootout 6-5. Beglaryan saved Palacio’s decisive attempt to secure his team’s place in the next round.

The first leg between the teams in Yerevan had also ended in a 1-1 draw.

Alashkert will face Romanian club CFR Cluj in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

Alashkert lineup

Alashkert: Arsen Beglaryan — Hakob Hakobyan (Sadoyan, 68), Cesar, Yaroslav Matyukhin, David Terteryan (Granado, 75) — Edgar Piloyan, Karen Nalbandyan (Adebayo, 105), Rafael Jesus (Togola, 103) — Olawale Farayola, Joseph Sabobo (Massoumu, 46), Momo Touré (Ejike, 75).