Young Heroes and Surprising Sensations: The 2025/26 Champions League Has Begun

On July 8, the first qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League kicked off, and already on the opening matchday, fans witnessed historic moments and unexpected sensations. In 10 matches played on Tuesday, 20 goals were scored, with the spotlight on a young Kazakh forward’s heroic debut and an away triumph by a club from Gibraltar.

Story of the Day — Dastan Satpaev

16-year-old Dastan Satpaev not only made his Champions League debut for Kairat but scored a crucial goal against Olimpija Ljubljana. His strike in the 59th minute was not only the tournament’s first but also historic: he became the youngest Kazakh to score in the Champions League and the second-youngest goalscorer in the competition’s qualification history.

Shock of the Day
Gibraltar’s Lincoln shocked Europe with a 3–2 away win over Faroe Islands’ Vikingur. Bernardo Lopes scored twice, and Tjay De Barr converted a penalty to seal the victory.

Narrow Wins and Fierce Battles
Several matches ended with minimal margins. Armenia’s Noah marked their UCL debut with a 1–0 win over Montenegro’s Budućnost thanks to Imran Oulad Omar’s goal. KuPS (Finland), Egnatia (Albania), Drita (Kosovo), and RFS (Latvia) also secured slim but vital victories.

Confident Favorites
Sweden’s Malmö beat debutants Iberia 1999 of Georgia 3–1 with three different scorers. Bosnia’s Zrinjski showed maturity by beating Virtus (San Marino) 2–0 away, with a brace from Nemanja Bilbija.

Goalless in Wales and More Matches Ahead
The New Saints and Shkëndija 79 ended their game 0–0, leaving the tie open.

On July 9, four more matches await, including the high-profile clash between Ludogorets and Dinamo Minsk.

UEFA Champions League 2025/26: All results from the first day

• KuPS Kuopio (Finland) – Milsami Orhei (Moldova) 1:0
Goal: Otto Ruoppi (73)

• Noah (Armenia) – Budućnost Podgorica (Montenegro) 1:0
Goal: Imrane Oulad Omar (69)

• Iberia 1999 Tbilisi (Georgia) – Malmö FF (Sweden) 1:3
Iberia goal: Anes Rusevic (86)
Malmö goals: Busanello (8), Hugo Bolin (58), Taha Ali (70)

• Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) – RFS Riga (Latvia) 0:1
Goal: Stefan Pavić (56, penalty)

• Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) 1:1
Olimpija goal: Costa Pinto (66)
Kairat goal: Dastan Satpaev (59)

• Vikingur Gøta (Faroe Islands) – Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) 2:3
Vikingur goals: Jakup Johansen (28), Sølvi Vatnhamar (45+4, penalty)
Lincoln goals: Bernardo Lopes (19, 31), Tjay De Barr (38, penalty)

• Drita Gjilan (Kosovo) – Dudelange (Luxembourg) 1:0
Goal: Arb Manaj (74)

• The New Saints (Wales) – Shkëndija 79 Tetovo (North Macedonia) 0:0

• Virtus Acquaviva (San Marino) – Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 0:2
Goals: Nemanja Bilbija (45, penalty; 79)

• Egnatia Rrogozhinë (Albania) – Breidablik Kópavogur (Iceland) 1:0
Goal: Ildi Gruda (90+2)

On July 9, four more UCL qualifiers will be played:

• Žalgiris Vilnius (Lithuania) – Ħamrun Spartans (Malta)
• Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria) – Dinamo Minsk (Belarus)
• Shelbourne Dublin (Ireland) – Linfield Belfast (Northern Ireland)
• FCSB (Steaua) (Romania) – Inter d’Escaldes (Andorra)