Moroccan midfielder Abdellah Zoubir has once again played a pivotal role for Qarabag, scoring a crucial goal that helped his team secure a historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League. While Qarabag fell 3-2 to Ferencváros in the second leg, their dominant 3-1 victory in the first match meant they advanced with a 5-4 aggregate score.
Ferencváros took an early lead just 12 minutes in, but Qarabag quickly responded, seizing control of the match with a series of relentless attacks. Leandro Andrade leveled the score in the 25th minute. The Brazilian star shined again, setting up a decisive play for Qarabag’s captain, Abdellah Zoubir. With composure and precision, the Moroccan striker calmly slotted the ball home in the 45th minute, giving his team a crucial 2-1 lead. This golden goal, a testament to Zoubir’s veteran poise, was the deciding factor. Although Ferencváros fought back to win the match on the night (2-3), their efforts were not enough to overcome the aggregate score,
This marks a monumental achievement for Qarabag, who become the first Azerbaijani club to reach the Champions League League Stage, the new format adopted in the 2024/25 season. This is the second time in their history they have reached the main stage of the continent’s most prestigious club tournament, having previously competed in the group stage during the 2017/18 season.
In addition to Zoubir, another Moroccan talent will have the chance to compete in the next round. Defender Samy Mmaee, who played in the first leg, was on the bench for this match. His experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for the team as they prepare to face Europe’s elite.
