'In the whole football is currently number one'

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, NK Celje secured their place in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifiers with a dramatic 4-1 victory over Albanian side Egnazio in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time and a 2-2 tie in extra time. The match took place at the Z’déžele stadium in Celje before a home crowd, marking another step forward for the Slovenian champions in their quest for European competition participation. The two teams had already met in the first leg of the second qualifying round, which ended in a 3-3 draw in Rrogozhinë, with both sides showing fierce determination. This second encounter was no less intense, with Celje starting more aggressively and creating several chances despite missing opportunities. In the 21st minute, Egnazio’s Karim Loukilic struck a powerful shot from distance, but Celje’s goalkeeper Žan-Luk Leban saved it. Just four minutes later, Celje’s Darko Hrka accidentally scored against his own team after a long build-up, giving Egnazio the lead. Celje responded quickly, equalizing in the 34th minute through captain Mario Kvesić, who converted a free-kick from 22 meters. The game remained tightly contested throughout the first half, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The second half saw similar intensity, with Egnazio managing to take the lead again in the 95th minute when Eneo Bitri fouled Rudij Požega Vancaša inside the box. Referee Joey Kooij pointed to the spot, and Kvesić stepped up to score from 11 meters, making it 2-1 to Celje. However, Egnazio refused to back down. In the 114th minute, Edison Ndreca cut inside from the left wing and delivered a precise cross to Geralb Smajli, who equalized with a well-placed strike, bringing the score to 2-2. With no further goals coming in regular time, the match moved to penalties. In the ensuing shootout, Celje’s Svit Sešlar opened the scoring from the spot, followed by Artemijus Tutyškinas, Yaya Dukuly, and Ivan Čalušić. Egnazio’s Eneo Bitri missed his attempt, while Arbenit Xhemajli also failed to convert. The decisive goal came from Celje’s Čalušić, who scored the final penalty to seal the 4-1 victory. The result means Celje have guaranteed themselves a spot in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, having won the tie 4-1 on penalties. They will face Armenian club Ararat in the next stage, following their previous 3-2 win over Irish side Shamrock Rovers in the first leg. If they progress, they could potentially reach the group stage of the Conference League. The match was watched by former Celje coach Albert Riera, who sat on the sidelines alongside Slovenian national team player Benjamin Verbič, who is reportedly set to sign with Celje soon. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with fans celebrating the crucial win that keeps the club's European ambitions alive. Meanwhile, in Zagreb, Dinamo also advanced to the next round after defeating Swiss side Thun 3-2 in a thrilling extra-time clash. The match featured a dramatic turnaround, with Dinamo coming from behind to secure their place in the third qualifying round. Meanwhile, Jon Gorenc Stanković’s Graščak Storm easily progressed, and other Slovenian players are expected to participate in the upcoming matches. The results mean that Celje are now one step closer to securing a place in Europe once again, continuing their tradition of competing at the highest level. Their performance in this qualifier has shown resilience and quality, setting them up for future challenges in the European competitions.