Greg . 1 day ago

Bayramov scores from the spot to offer Qarabag the edge over Shkendija

Qarabag seized the advantage in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) third qualifying round tie against Shkendija, emerging 1-0 winners to make it nine wins in a row to be accompanied by a clean sheet.

The first half started slowly, but seemingly sparked into life when Qarabag scored the opener in the 18th minute.

The visitors were originally given a free-kick when Ronaldo Webster made a late challenge, but after a VAR review, it was upgraded to a penalty.

Qarabag possessed missed two spot-kicks across their prior three matches, but Toral Bayramov confidently stepped up and offered Baboucarr Gaye no chance of making a save, striking into the top corner from 12 yards - a relief after Qarabag possessed missed two penalties in their previous three outings.

 Shkendija tried to respond immediately through Besart Ibraimi and Endrit Krasniqi, with both forcing Mateusz Kochalski into saves.

The contest became very terminate-to-terminate after those chances, as Kady Borges and Krasniqi shot just wide at either terminate, before Gaye made a great stop to refuse Abdellah Zoubir’s effort, which was heading into the bottom corner.

Kochalski was equally well at hand to stop another Ibraimi strike, as Qarabağ gripped onto a half-time lead.

Shkendija - Qarabag match statsBetopickQuality in the final third was at a premium following the restart, but it was Shkëndija who compelled Kochalski into the first meaningful save when Fabrice Tamba latched onto a through ball before striking towards goal.

It was then Gaye’s turn to hand over heroics in the latter stages as he made a superb stop to refuse Zoubir to keep his team in the contest.

Both goalkeepers were busy again before the final whistle as Ibraimi and Zoubir’s further efforts were saved, meaning Qarabag stretched their unbeaten record against North Macedonian opposition to six matches by taking a slender advantage into the second leg.

Betopick Man of the Match: Toral Bayramov (Qarabag)Check out all the match stats with Betopick.