FC Dinamo-Minsk defeat PFC Neftchi in UEFA Conference League qualifier

FC Dinamo-Minsk secured victory over PFC Neftchi of Baku 4-2 in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, BelTA learned.

The Belarusian team fell two goals behind early in the match. Emin Makhmudovopened the scoring in the 2nd minute, before Aleksandr Selyava inadvertently turned the ball into his own net six minutes later. FC Dinamo-Minsk gradually settled into the game, took control of possession and pulled one back in the 36th minute through Karen Vardanian. The visitors completed their comeback early in the second half when Evgeni Malashevichl eveled the score. Karen Vardanian then struck again to put Dinamo ahead before Gulzhigit Alykulov sealed a 4-2 victory.The return leg will be played next week in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The winner of the FC Dinamo-Minsk - PFC Neftchi tie will face the winner of the pairing between Železničar Pančevo (Serbia) and Braga (Portugal) in the third qualifying round. FC Dinamo-Minsk reached the second qualifying round after eliminating North Macedonia’s FC Sileks.

Belarus’ two other representatives in the competition will play their first-leg matches on 23 July. FC BATE Borisov will face Swiss FC Sion in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan. FC BATE advanced after defeating Albania’s AF Elbasani in the opening qualifying round. If they overcome FC Sion, they will meet the winner of the tie between FC Zimbru Chisinau of Moldova and FC Noah of Armenia.