Alashkert Advances to Europa League Playoffs; Next Opponent is Steven Gerrard's Team

In the second leg of the third round of the UEFA Europa League, Armenia's champion Alashkert hosted Kazakhstan's champion Kairat. The first match between these teams ended in a draw, 0-0.

According to Armenpress, both teams started the match quite actively. Alashkert even had a chance to open the scoring, but the play was offside. The teams alternated attacking, trying to find the most vulnerable link in each other's defense.

Armenian champion Alashkert took advantage of their quick counterattack and took the lead in the 43rd minute, with Jose Embalo scoring.

Kairat did not take long to restore equality. In the first added minute of the first half, Aibol Abiken found the net. The teams went into halftime with a 1-1 scoreline.

At the very beginning of the second half, Alashkert quickly took the lead again. Embalo scored his second goal. Just 10 minutes later, Kairat equalized again, with substitute Arthur Shushenachev scoring.

Minutes later, Kairat was down to 10 players. Denis Polyakov received a red card for a rough challenge against Artak Grigoryan.

In the final stages of the match, Alashkert took the initiative, but the regular time ended with a score of 2-2, and the game went into extra time.

In extra time, Kairat was reduced to 9 players after Aibol Abiken, one of the goal scorers, received a red card.

After constant attacks, Alashkert managed to score again. Alexander Grishich was in the right place at the right time. Final score: Alashkert 3, Kairat 2.

Alashkert will face Scotland's champion Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League playoffs, whose head coach is Steven Gerrard.