Ararat-Armenia suffer dramatic defeat to Celje and will continue European campaign in Europa League

Ararat-Armenia failed to reach the Champions League qualifying play-offs and will now continue their European campaign in the Europa League.

After beating Slovenian side Celje 2-1 at home, the Armenian champions suffered a 2-0 defeat in the return leg. Manuel Tulipa's team lost 3-2 on aggregate and were eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The tie was decided in the closing stages. Until the 83rd minute, Ararat-Armenia had dealt confidently with the hosts' pressure, while in the second half the Armenian side even managed to seize the initiative and create several excellent goalscoring opportunities.

Tulipa's team were extremely close to a historic achievement — reaching the Champions League qualifying play-offs, which would have been a first for an Armenian club.

However, in the 83rd minute Celje capitalised on a mistake by the visitors, with Dukuli opening the scoring. Just two minutes later, the hosts struck again as Verbič made it 2-0.

Even then, Ararat-Armenia had an opportunity to save the tie. In the final moments, Carlos França had a chance to score into an empty net with the Celje goalkeeper no longer in position to intervene, but Verbič produced a crucial headed clearance off the goal line.

The 32-year-old Slovenian football veteran, who had returned to Celje just before this match, therefore emerged as one of the key figures of the night. He scored his team's second goal before making a decisive goal-line clearance to help Celje reach the Champions League play-offs.

Arthur Serobyan also deserves special mention for an excellent performance for Ararat-Armenia. Until being substituted, the Armenian winger constantly caused problems for the opposition on his flank, drew two yellow cards from Celje players and played a part in several of the visitors' most dangerous attacks.

Ararat-Armenia will now play in the Europa League qualifying play-offs for the third time in the club's history. The Armenian champions will face the winner of the KuPS — Universitatea Craiova tie. The first leg between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw.

Line-ups

Ararat-Armenia: João Bravim — Hugo Oliveira (73, Carlier), Junior Bueno, Bruno Wilson, Alexandros Malis, Edgar Grigoryan — Alwyn Tera (55, Benny), Karen Muradyan (89, Balanta) — Arthur Serobyan (73, França), Zidan Banjaki (89, N'Dour) — Sandro Lima.

Celje: Leban — Širvys (69, Dukuli), Hrka, Tutyškinas — Kvesić, Ivanšek, Zabukovnik, Koutris (46, Verbič) — Seslar (90, Čalušić), Kučys (69, Poplatnik), Avdili.

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