Champions League qualifying results on 26/08/2025
A closer look at what happened on a dramatic night of Champions League play-off action
There were some shocks on the night. Let's have a closer look...
Author | Peter Grainger
Sturm Graz 2-1 Bodø/Glimt (aggregate 2-6)
Bodø/Glimt secured their first appearance in the competition proper despite defeat in Klagenfurt. The Norwegian champions extended their 5-0 first-leg advantage 15 minutes in with Mathias Jørgensen's neat finish.
Sturm Graz responded on the half-hour when Seedy Jatta nodded in from close range, and the hosts struck the woodwork through Jon Gorenc Stanković and William Bøving before substitute Tim Oermann completed a consolation second-leg win.
Did you know that Bodø/Glimt are the first Norwegian side to reach the Champions League group stage since Rosenborg in 2007/08?
Pafos 1-1 Red Star Belgrade (aggregate: 3-2)
A brilliant late equaliser from Jajá secured qualification for Pafos in their debut Champions League campaign. The visitors levelled the tie on aggregate on the hour when Mirko Ivanić's strike took a wicked deflection to deceive Pafos goalkeeper Neofytos Michael.
Just as the game appeared destined for extra time, Brazilian winger Jajá met Pêpê's free-kick with a deft first-time finish that floated into the net, delighting the home crowd.
Pafos have now become the third team from Cyprus to reach the Champions League proper after APOEL, who have done so four times, and Anorthosis Famagusta, once, and the first since APOEL in 2017/18.
Kairat 0 - 0 Celtic (aggregate:0-0) Kairat won 3-2 on penalties
Celtic’s Champions League hopes came to a shuddering halt in Kazakhstan as Brendan Rodgers’ side crashed out on penalties to Kairat Almaty, failing to score across 210 minutes of football.
