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Egnatia Rrogozhinë 3-3 Celje: Champions League Qualifying Drama
The Rrogozhinë Stadium erupted as Ibrahima Diabate’s 78th-minute equaliser completed a breathtaking comeback for Egnatia Rrogozhinë against Celje in their Champions League second qualifying round first leg – a 3-3 draw that left both sets of players on their knees at full-time.
Egnatia’s Dream Start
Albanian underdogs Egnatia exploded from the blocks, Eneo Bitri rifling home Altin Kryeziu’s cutback after just seven minutes to send the home fans into raptures. The hosts’ high press forced Celje into uncharacteristic errors, with Soumaila Bakayoko’s early withdrawal through injury the only dampener on a dominant opening half-hour.
Celje’s Slovenian Slickness
Just as Egnatia seemed set to take a lead into the break, Mario Kvesic announced himself on the European stage. The Slovenian international timed his run perfectly to meet Svit Seslar’s diagonal ball, volleying past Mario Dajsinani on the stroke of half-time. Celje emerged transformed after the interval, Armandas Kucys turning home Leonardo Koutris’ low cross nine minutes into the second half to complete the turnaround.
Medeiros Sparks Egnatia Resistance
With their Champions League dreams slipping away, Egnatia found their Brazilian inspiration. Fernando Medeiros, collecting Djibril Adjessa’s clever flick, arrowed a 20-yarder into the bottom corner on 58 minutes to level – only for Kvesic to restore Celje’s lead eight minutes later with a predatory finish after Egnatia failed to clear a corner.
Diabate’s Moment of Magic
As legs tired and yellow cards mounted – five in a frantic 17-minute spell – substitute Diabate wrote his name into Egnatia folklore. The Malian forward latched onto Medeiros’ through ball, holding off Darko Hrkac before slotting calmly past Žan-Luk Leban to set up a tantalising second leg in Slovenia next week.
What This Means
For Egnatia, this comeback reinforces their reputation as Albania’s rising force – unbeaten in European competition this season. Celje will rue surrendering two leads but take comfort from their three away goals. The return leg promises fireworks, with a place in the third qualifying round against either Ludogorets or Dinamo Minsk awaiting the victors.
Key Moments
7′ ⚽ Egnatia Rrogozhinë — E. Bitri (assist: A. Kryeziu)
45′ ⚽ Celje — M. Kvesic (assist: S. Seslar)
54′ ⚽ Celje — A. Kucys (assist: L. Koutris)
58′ ⚽ Egnatia Rrogozhinë — Fernando Medeiros (assist: D. Adjessa)🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.
