Sun | Dec 29, 2024

Advantage PSV in Champions League qualifying

Published:Tuesday | August 21, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Benfica's Pizzi celebrates after scoring during the Champions League play-offs first-leg match between Benfica and PAOK at the Luz stadium in Lisbon yesterday.

BORISOV, Belarus (AP):

PSV Eindhoven scored with a minute remaining to beat BATE Borisov 3-2 in the first leg of the Champions League qualifying playoffs in Belarus yesterday.

Also, Greek club PAOK put themselves in a good position to qualify for the group stage for the first time by holding hosts Benfica to a 1-1 draw, while Red Star Belgrade and Salzburg played to a 0-0 draw.

Substitute Donyell Malen scored the winner and his first goal for Eindhoven in the 89th, two minutes after coming off the bench and a minute after Aleksandr Hleb had tied the score at 2-2 for BATE.

Hirving Lozano had given PSV a 2-1 lead in the 61st with a curling shot from outside the area. The Dutch champions hope to return to the Champions League after missing out last season.

Forward Jasse Tuominen gave BATE an early 1-0 lead, while Gaston Pereiro equalised from the penalty spot in the 35th. In Lisbon, Pizzi converted from the spot in first-half injury time for Benfica before substitute Amr Warda equalised for PAOK in the second half.

In Belgrade, the 1991 European champions had to play behind closed doors due to a punishment by UEFA for their fans' behaviour. Salzburg had more possession in the game, but the hosts had better chances to score. Salzburg are looking to reach the group stage for the first time in 24 years.

The second-leg games are scheduled for August 29.

The Champions League playoffs continue with the remaining three first-leg games today. It's Ajax vs Dynamo Kiev, Hungary's Vidi vs AEK Athens and Young Boys vs Dinamo Zagreb.