Cypriot champions Pafos FC achieved a historic milestone on Wednesday night, advancing to the Champions League third qualifying round after a 1-0 victory over Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bačka Topola Stadium. The 2-1 aggregate triumph marks the club’s deepest-ever run in Europe’s elite competition.
Brazilian striker Zaza delivered the decisive blow in the 40th minute, capitalizing on Maccabi’s reduced squad after defender Melica received a straight red card in the 30th minute. Pafos now faces Dynamo Kyiv in the next round, with a playoff berth tantalizingly within reach.
Elsewhere, Red Bull Salzburg secured their progression despite a 1-1 home draw against Norway’s SK Brann, sealing a commanding 5-2 aggregate victory. The Austrian giants will next confront Club Brugge, managed by former Panathinaikos coach Christos Tziolis.
In a dramatic reversal, Czech side Victoria Plzeň overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat Switzerland’s Servette 3-1 (3-2 aggregate), setting up a showdown with Scotland’s Rangers.
The results signal a breakthrough for Cypriot football, with Pafos becoming only the second team from Cyprus to reach this stage since APOEL’s 2016 campaign. Key third-round pairings now include Pafos vs. Dynamo Kyiv, Salzburg vs. Club Brugge, and Plzeň vs. Rangers.
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