Rui Mota wins on debut for Ludogorets and other Champions League results

On Wednesday, July 9, the first-leg matches of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round concluded. Four games were played on the second day of the round. One of them featured Rui Mota — the former head coach of Armenian champions Noah — who made his official debut in charge of Bulgarian side Ludogorets. The Bulgarian champions narrowly defeated Dinamo Minsk at home, with the only goal scored in the 87th minute.

The Portuguese coach had a tough debut. The Belarusian side built a solid defensive block. Ludogorets fired 20 shots on goal, but only Filip Kaloč's strike found the net. Interestingly, the match followed a similar pattern to Noah’s game the day before — a narrow 1-0 win over Budućnost, where the Armenian side dominated possession while the opponent focused on defense.

Another former Armenian Premier League player also stood out that day. Ex-Ararat Yerevan midfielder Kassim Hadji scored the second goal for Žalgiris.

Additionally, the day featured an Irish derby, won by the club from the Republic of Ireland.

Champions League results – July 9, 2025

• Žalgiris (Lithuania) — Hamrun (Malta) — 2:0
Goals: Liviu Antal (59), Kassim Hadji (85)

• Ludogorets (Bulgaria) — Dinamo Minsk (Belarus) — 1:0
Goal: Filip Kaloč (87)

• FCSB (Romania) — Inter Escaldes (Andorra) — 3:1
FCSB goals: David Miculescu (37), Darius Olaru (45+3 pen.), Marius Ștefănescu (53)
Inter Escaldes goal: Rafael Hermann (65)

• Shelbourne (Ireland) — Linfield (Northern Ireland) — 1:0
Goal: Ademipo Odubeko (58)