Pafos FC achieved a big victory on Tuesday evening, beating Red Star 1-2 in Belgrade in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs.
The Cypriot champions scored in the first minute of the match with Correia, while Pepe extended his team’s lead in the 51st minute with a converted penalty.
Red Star responded in the 58th minute with a goal by Duarte, but failed to equalise before the end of the match.
The match was ignited before the first minute was even over. Correa’s “goal” shocked the hot stadium and turned things around. Red Star found themselves chasing early on, and despite gaining possession, pressing with crosses and long shots, they were unable to break the cool and disciplined blue team. The disallowed Bruno’s goal in the 29th minute for a hand was a turning point.
The Serbs got irritated, and lost their rhythm and Pafos gained valuable time to balance and hold on. Even the forced injury of Tankovic did not break the plan.
The second leg will be played next Tuesday in Limassol, with Pafos FC looking to secure their place in the main phase of the competition.
Pafos were playing at a venue where tradition leans relentlessly towards the home team, Red Star Belgrade where they had not lost in the qualifying phase since 2016 (in 22 home games), the blue team made history, scoring a goal each at the start of both halves (to give them a famous win.
1-2 is not just a result; it is the birth of a new reality for Cypriot football, a night of triumph that paves the way for Cypriots in this top competition. And now, in the second leg, Pafos is called upon to finish the job…
Juan Carlos Carcedo’s team, with excellent management, proved that they are not a passing fancy, but a team with stamina, self-confidence and depth. Pafos’ third consecutive “double” in the qualifying phase is strong proof that Cypriot football can stand up to historic opponents.
On Tuesday at the “Alphamega” Stadium (22:00) che Pafos versus Red Star Belgrade could turn out to be a landmark night. There, Pafos will attempt to seal their qualification to the League Group Phase of the UEFA Champions League and write the most golden page in their history.Only two Cypriot teams have achieved this Anorthosis and Apoel.
