کوپس مقابل وردار

KuPS survived a dramatic second-leg scare to advance in UEFA Champions League qualifying, losing 2-3 to FK Vardar Skopje after extra time at Savon Sanomat Areena. The Macedonians fought brilliantly, but the Finns progressed 4-3 on aggregate. Saku Savolainen's unfortunate own goal on 59 minutes gave Vardar the foothold they needed, and Goran Zakarić's cool penalty deep into stoppage time levelled the aggregate and forced extra time. Bob Nii Armah struck at 100 minutes to edge KuPS back in front on aggregate, only for Ian Puleio to level again two minutes later. Piotr Parzyszek then stepped up to convert a 105th-minute spot-kick, the goal that ultimately sent the Finns through. KuPS owe their progression largely to their composed 2-0 first-leg win in Skopje, goals from Brahima Magassa and Bob Nii Armah proving the margin of difference. For Vardar, it is a heartbreaking exit after a second-leg performance that deserved far more.