Ararat-Armenia eliminate Riga and advance to the second round of Champions League qualifying

Ararat-Armenia have advanced to the second qualifying round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. The Armenian champions lost the return leg against Latvian side Riga 3–2 but progressed with a 4–3 aggregate victory.

The first match in Abovyan ended in a 2–0 win for Manuel Tulipa’s side. Ararat-Armenia found themselves in a difficult position in Riga after conceding twice before the break, but they managed to change the course of the game in the second half.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Yago Siqueira took advantage of a mistake by the Ararat-Armenia defenders to make it 1–0. Ankra then scored Riga’s second goal, levelling the aggregate score at 2–2. Riga were the better side in the first half and went into the break with a two-goal lead.

Ararat-Armenia reduced the deficit immediately after the restart. Zhirayr Shaghoyan converted his opportunity to make the score 2–1.

In the 63rd minute, Sandro Lima produced a superb strike to level the match at 2–2. That goal restored the Armenian club’s comfortable advantage on aggregate.

Riga continued to attack and scored their third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Reginaldo Ramires converted a penalty to seal a 3–2 victory for the hosts.

Despite losing the second leg, Ararat-Armenia won the tie 4–3 on aggregate and will continue their campaign in Europe’s premier club competition.

Ararat-Armenia lineup

Ararat-Armenia: Joao Bravim — Kamo Hovhannisyan, Junior Bueno, Bruno Wilson, Edgar Grigoryan (Hambardzumyan, 46) — Hugo Oliveira, Alvin Tera (Banjaki, 61), Karen Muradyan — Artur Serobyan (Carlos Franca, 61), Zhirayr Shaghoyan (Luis Felipe, 71) — Sandro Lima (Alioune Ndour, 87).

In the second qualifying round of the Champions League, Ararat-Armenia will face the winner of the tie between Malta’s Floriana and Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers. The first leg of that matchup ended 2–0.

Reaching the second round is highly significant for the Armenian champions. Even if they are eliminated at the next stage, they will continue their European campaign in Europa League qualifying. Riga, meanwhile, will move into the second qualifying round of the Conference League following their Champions League elimination.

Ararat-Armenia are also capable of competing for a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.