According to medcom.id and jalurdua.com, LASK and Sabah FC secured qualification for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League on August 25 and 26, 2026, following dramatic playoff second-leg comebacks, alongside Bodo/Glimt’s victory over NEC Nijmegen.
Sabah FK Makes History in Baku
Sabah FC advanced to the primary stage of the Champions League for the first time in club history on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to reporting by medcom.id. Playing at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, the home side overturned a first-leg deficit against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Hapoel held a 2-1 advantage coming into the second leg, per initial source notes, and extended that lead when Igor Zlatanovic opened the scoring. Sabah responded through Christian Nwachukwu, though Guy Mizrahi restored the visitors’ advantage. Sabah leveled the aggregate score at 4-4 before the end of regulation thanks to goals from Umarali Rakhmonaliev and Tellur Mutallimov in the final minute.
During extra time, Orphe Mbina and Joy-Lance Mickels scored to seal a 5-2 win on the night and a 6-4 aggregate triumph. The result marks the first time an Azerbaijani club has reached the tournament’s league phase.
LASK Overturns Deficit Against Celtic
LASK secured a dramatic 5-1 victory over Celtic at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Austria, advancing 5-4 on aggregate after extra time, as reported by medcom.id. The Austrian side faced elimination after losing the first leg 0-3 in Glasgow.
Celtic added to their aggregate lead in the second leg through Callum McGregor. However, LASK mounted a comeback with goals from Moses Usor, Robert Ljubicic, Samuel Adeniran—who scored twice—and Florian Flecker. Samuel Adeniran netted the decisive goal in extra time to cap the 5-1 win on the night.
Bodo/Glimt Dominates NEC Nijmegen
Bodo/Glimt completed the trio of playoff victors by defeating NEC Nijmegen 3-0 at the Aspmyra Stadion, according to medcom.id. Fredrik Andre Bjorkan opened the scoring for the Norwegian club, with Sondre Auklend and Deveron Fonville adding subsequent goals.
Having won the first leg 3-1 in the Netherlands, Bodo/Glimt progressed comfortably with a 6-1 aggregate scoreline, securing their return to the Champions League league phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams qualified through the Champions League playoffs?
According to medcom.id, Sabah FC, LASK, and Bodo/Glimt secured qualification during the playoff second legs on August 25 and 26, 2026.
Did Sabah FC and LASK set any records?
Yes, medcom.id notes that Sabah FC reached the Champions League league phase for the first time in their history, while LASK advanced following a major aggregate comeback against Celtic.
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