Shkëndija one step closer to Champions League dream after FCSB win

FK Shkëndija are seeking another victory in the Champions League qualifying stages on Tuesday night. After becoming champions of North Macedonia last season it allowed them to enter the Champions phase of qualifying that allows more than one place in the competition.

Away from home in Wales, Shkëndija secured a vital 0-0 draw setting the stage for the return fixture. The second matchup was intense with the Macedonian side taking an early lead through 21-year-old Fabrice Tamba. TNS equalised before halftime.

The game went all the way to extra time. Until a late own goal from Jack Bodenham sealed the fate of the Welsh side, progressing the Macedonian champions. However, up next is the Romanian champions FCSB, European Cup winners from 1985/86 where they defeated Spanish giants Barcelona in a penalty shootout.

Sport, Football, European Cup Final, Seville, 7th May 1986, Steaua Bucharest 0 v Barcelona 0 ( After Extra Time) Steaua won 2 – 0 on penalties, Bucharest ( including Lacatus, centre back) celebrate with the trophy (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

In a game where both sides looked very evenly matched it was a cross from deep onto the head of Nigerian midfielder Adamu Ibrahim Alhassan, who wheeled away in celebration with cheers spilling over from the touchline.

The game finished in a 1-0 win for Shkëndija, but two red cards were given, one for each team after a studs up challenge and a kick to the back of the legs; however this didn’t overlook the home side’s special day.

Up next is a trip to Bucharest. 55,000 seats are waiting to be filled because this game is going to be intense all the way through. FCSB will look to maintain their attacking threat from the first leg but with the winners of the last match only having a one goal advantage it could go either way.

FCSB’s Italian midfielder #31 Juri Cisotti (R) celebrates with team mates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off 2nd leg football match between FC Steaua Bucharest and PAOK FC in Bucharest, Romania, on February 20, 2025. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

With two clean sheets in three European matches so far, Saladin Mustafi’s goalkeeping department will be pleased with the saves of Gambian international Baboucarr Gaye as the quest for Champions League qualification goes on.