Champions League Qualifying Round-Up: Dinamo Zagreb Crush Kauno Zalgiris 5-0
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first legs produced dramatic results, with GNK Dinamo Zagreb delivering a statement 5-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris and several ties finely poised for the second legs on August 11.
Key Takeaways
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb crushed Kauno Zalgiris 5-0 in the standout result of the third qualifying round first legs.
- The Champions Path saw a mix of narrow wins and dominant performances, with 14 spots in the play-off round up for grabs.
- The League Path produced tighter contests, including a 3-3 thriller between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt.
- Second legs are scheduled for August 11, 2026, with the play-off round draw already determined.
- The league phase draw will take place on August 27, 2026, with the tournament final set for Madrid on June 5, 2027.
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Deportivo SaprissaDinamo Zagreb's Dominant 5-0 Victory
The most emphatic result of the qualifying round came at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, where GNK Dinamo put on a masterclass against Lithuanian champions Kauno Zalgiris. A crowd of 12,147 watched as the Croatian side built a 2-0 lead by halftime through goals from Miha Zajc in the 31st minute and Scott McKenna just two minutes later.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Mateo Lisica adding a third in the 51st minute, Luka Stojkovic making it 4-0 in the 76th minute, and Lukas Kacavenda completing the rout in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The result effectively seals Dinamo's place in the play-off round, where they will face the winner of Vikingur Reykjavik vs. AEK Athens.
Champions Path Results and Analysis
The Champions Path featured 12 teams competing for seven spots in the play-off round, with the first legs producing a range of outcomes:
| Match | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mjallby vs Slovan Bratislava | 1-2 | Slovan take narrow away advantage |
| Ararat-Armenia vs Celje | 2-1 | Armenian side hold slender lead |
| Levski Sofia vs Kairat Almaty | 1-0 | Bulgarian champions edge it |
| Hapoel Beer-Sheva vs Crvena Zvezda | 1-0 | Israeli surprise against Serbian giants |
| GNK Dinamo vs Kauno Zalgiris | 5-0 | Dinamo all but through |
| Aarhus vs Sabah | 2-1 | Danish side take advantage home |
The results show a mix of tight contests and one decisive blowout. Hapoel Beer-Sheva's 1-0 win over Crvena Zvezda stands out as a potential upset, while Dinamo's 5-0 margin looks insurmountable ahead of the return leg in Kaunas on August 11.
League Path: Tight Contests and Upsets
The League Path, featuring eight teams, produced some of the most intriguing ties of the round:
| Match | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olympiacos vs N.E.C. | 0-0 | All to play for in Netherlands |
| Union SG vs Bodo/Glimt | 3-3 | Six-goal thriller in Belgium |
| Sparta Praha vs Lyon | 2-1 | Czech side stun French visitors |
| Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz | 2-0 | Turkish giants in strong position |
Sparta Praha's 2-1 victory over Lyon was the headline result, giving the Czech champions a valuable advantage to defend in France. The 3-3 draw between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt ensures a fascinating second leg in Norway, while Olympiacos and N.E.C. remain deadlocked after a goalless first leg in Greece.
Play-off Round Picture
The winners of these 10 ties will advance to the play-off round, scheduled for August 18/19 and August 25/26, 2026. UEFA has already conducted the draw for this round, with the play-off winners joining the 29 teams already confirmed for the new league phase format.
Notable play-off round matchups already drawn include Celtic vs LASK, and the winners of Fenerbahce/Sturm Graz facing the winners of Sparta Praha/Lyon. The league phase draw will take place on August 27, 2026, with the competition proper beginning on September 8, 2026.
What to Watch in the Second Legs
The second legs on August 11 will determine which 14 clubs advance to the play-off round. Key fixtures to watch include:
- •Kauno Zalgiris vs GNK Dinamo - Can the Lithuanian champions produce a miracle comeback?
- •Lyon vs Sparta Praha - French giants under pressure at home after shock first-leg defeat.
- •N.E.C. vs Olympiacos - Winner-takes-all after goalless first leg.
- •Bodo/Glimt vs Union SG - Norwegian side look to capitalize on home advantage after 3-3 draw.
The 2026/27 season marks the 72nd edition of Europe's premier club competition, with the final scheduled for the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5, 2027.