Last-gasp Qarabağ eliminate Eintracht Frankfurt from UEFA Champions League

Eintracht Frankfurt can no longer reach the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout round play-offs after letting slip a 2-1 lead in defeat to Qarabağ.

Frankfurt's interim coaching duo of Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier faced a difficult Champions League debut in Azerbaijan, just days after the club parted ways with Dino Toppmöller following a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen. Sitting 30th in the league phase with only one win from six matches, Frankfurt desperately needed victory against Qarabag to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. The hosts, meanwhile, occupied 22nd position with seven points and a playoff spot in their possession, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

Interim head coach Dennis Schmitt oversaw his first match in charge of Frankfurt following the departure of Dino Toppmöller. - IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

Early exchange of blows

The hosts wasted no time in testing Frankfurt's resolve, taking the lead after just four minutes. Qarabag worked the ball cleverly down the left flank, with Elvin Jafarquliyev delivering a dangerous cross that eventually found Camilo Durán, who fired home from close range. Frankfurt's response was swift and clinical. In the 10th minute, Can Uzun collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area, danced past a defender and placed a precise low shot into the bottom corner to level the scores. Both sides traded chances throughout an evenly contested first half, with Kauã Santos making a crucial save to deny Durán a second goal in the 37th minute.

Camilo Durán gave the home side the perfect start. - IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

Late drama sinks Frankfurt

The second half began cautiously with both sides aware of the high stakes. Frankfurt gradually gained control, and their persistence was rewarded in the 78th minute when Ansgar Knauff was brought down in the penalty area by Behlul Mustafazadə. Substitute Farès Chaïbi stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski the wrong way to give Frankfurt a precious lead. Their advantage lasted barely two minutes, however, as Jafarquliyev once again delivered from the left for Durán to tap home his second goal of the evening.

With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Qarabag delivered the killer blow in the fourth minute of injury time. Following a corner, Matheus Silva provided the assist for Mustafazadə, who atoned for conceding the penalty by smashing home the winner to seal Frankfurt's Champions League fate.

About the clubs

Eintracht Frankfurt

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