Key Points

The first legs of the Champions League play-offs provided plenty of drama. Benfica managed a gritty goalless draw in Turkey despite going down to ten men. Meanwhile, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt delivered a spectacular 5-0 thrashing of Sturm Graz. Other results saw Celtic frustrated at home and Basel drawing with Copenhagen.

Key Points: Benfica Draw Fenerbahce as Bodo Glimt Crush Sturm Graz in Champions League

  • Benfica played final 20 minutes with ten men after Florentino dismissal
  • Bodo/Glimt scored five goals in stunning home qualifying performance
  • Celtic were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Kairat Almaty
  • FC Basel and Copenhagen drew 1-1 in an action-packed first leg encounter
3 min read

Champions League: Benfica hold Fenerbahce to goalless draw, Bodo/Glimt win in qualifying play-offs

Ten-man Benfica held Fenerbahce 0-0 while Bodo/Glimt thrashed Sturm Graz 5-0 in Champions League play-offs. Celtic and Basel also drew their home legs.

"Bodo/Glimt have a first-ever appearance in the Champions League proper within their reach after overpowering Sturm Graz with a scintillating display. - UEFA"

New Delhi, Aug 21

The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-offs concluded with ten-man Benfica playing out goalless draw at Fenerbahce and Bodø/Glimt taking a giant step towards a maiden appearance in the competition proper with a resounding 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz while Celtic and Basel were held at home.

Goalkeepers Irfan Can Egribayat and Anatoliy Trubin were both forced into a number of saves as chances came and went without reward for the Turkish and Portuguese giants.

Benfica had to play the final 20 minutes a man down after Florentino's dismissal for two yellow cards and he will miss the return leg in Lisbon next week, UEFA

Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt have a first-ever appearance in the Champions League proper within their reach after overpowering Sturm Graz with a scintillating display.

Kasper Hogh's delicate chip got the Norwegian team off to a flyer before Odin Bjørtuft doubled the advantage moments later with a header and Ulrik Saltnes' turn and finish made it 3-0 after 25 minutes.

The hosts kept coming after the break, HÃ¥kon Evjen's strike and a William Boving own goal capping a stunning performance which leaves Sturm requiring a second-leg miracle.

Bodo/Glimt have now won their last eight home games in Champions League qualifying.

Elsewhere, Kairat Almaty frustrated Scottish champions Celtic as they claimed a well-earned draw with a disciplined performance in Glasgow.

The visitors made the better chances of the opening 45 minutes but it was the hosts' James Forrest who sent a low shot against the post within seconds of the restart.

Edmilson's delightful long-range lob almost snatched a precious away win but the ball dropped just over and the tie remains in the balance ahead of the return match in Kazakhstan.

FC Base and Copenhagen are all square after an action-packed first leg at St. Jakob-Park.

Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Rodrigo Huescas felled Albian Ajeti but Gabriel Pereira headed the Danish side level in first-half added time from a well-worked corner.

The hosts finished the game with ten men, Jonas Adjetey dismissed in the 82nd minute for a second bookable offence.

The play-offs began on Tuesday with Club Brugge making a sensational start to their tie, scoring three goals inside 20 minutes on their way to a 3-1 success in their first leg at Rangers, while there were also away wins for Pafos and Qarabag.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Bodo/Glimt 5-0! What an incredible performance from the Norwegian side! 🎯 Hope they make it to the group stage - would love to see them against the big clubs. Scandinavian football is really improving!
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Arjun K
Celtic dropping points at home against a Kazakh team is embarrassing. Scottish football's quality has really declined in recent years. They need to step up in the away leg!
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Sarah B
Watching these qualifiers at 1:30 AM IST is worth it! The passion from these smaller clubs is incredible. Hope Bodo/Glimt makes history next week 🤞
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Vikram M
Indian goalkeepers should watch Trubin's performance. The level of shot-stopping in these qualifiers is world class. Our keepers need to learn from such techniques!
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Michael C
The financial gap between qualifying rounds and group stage is massive. For clubs like Bodo, making it to UCL proper could transform their entire organization. Rooting for them!

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