Slivka Stuns Drita Late as Kauno Žalgiris Win 3-2

Vykintas Slivka broke Kosovan hearts twice in 90 brutal minutes, scoring the 82nd-minute equaliser and assisting the 94th-minute penalty winner as Kauno Žalgiris stole a 3-2 Champions League first qualifying round victory from Drita’s grasp.

Drita’s early fightback silenced by Lithuanian quality

The Kosovans were still digesting Slivka’s 9th-minute opener—a clinical finish from Amine Benchaib’s incisive pass—when Igball Jashari sparked the home crowd into life with a 20th-minute equaliser. Liridon Balaj, Drita’s livewire creator, threaded the assist through Kauno’s defence before Jashari buried it past the stranded keeper.

By halftime, Drita’s 37% possession told the story of Lithuanian dominance, but Arbër Manaj’s 53rd-minute strike—again assisted by Balaj—sent the home fans into raptures. The Kosovans led against the run of play, their counterattacking football yielding two goals from just four shots on target.

Kauno Žalgiris’ relentless pressure pays off

What followed was a masterclass in game management from Algis Jankauskas’ side. The Lithuanians racked up 27 total shots (18 off target), their 63% possession squeezing Drita deeper into their own half. The introduction of Haris Kadrić and Luka Racic in the 79th minute proved decisive.

Slivka’s 82nd-minute equaliser—a thunderous header from Joris Moutachy’s cross—felt inevitable. Then, in the 94th minute, Benchaib converted the penalty that broke Kosovan hearts after a desperate Drita handball. The visitors’ bench erupted as the ball hit the net, while Drita’s players collapsed to the turf.

What this means for both sides

For Kauno Žalgiris, this smash-and-grab victory in Pristina sets up a tantalising second leg at home, where their superior technical quality should shine through. For Drita, the pain of conceding twice in the final 12 minutes will linger—their Champions League dream hanging by a thread despite two heroic goals.

Three yellow cards in stoppage time—two for Drita, including captain Besnik Krasniqi—told the story of Kosovan frustration. Zekirija Ramadani’s men must now produce a miracle in Lithuania next week.