Fradi and Győr surge into next European rounds

The Champions League 3rd qualifying round saw Hungarian champions Ferencváros pitted against their Bulgarian counterparts Ludogorets, a familiar opponent from the 2019/20 Europa League campaign. A goalless draw away in Razgrad last Wednesday set up the tie perfectly for a thrilling second leg in Budapest, but really the outcome never really felt in doubt once striker Barnabás Varga had handed the hosts a 38th-minute lead by nodding in Bence Ötvös's inswinging near-post cross from the left channel.

 A well-contested second-half saw any remaining Fradi nerves eased when Varga tucked substitute Zsombor Gruber's low left-wing cross past visiting goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann to double Fradi's advantage in the 79th minute. Seven minutes later, defender Gábor Szalai sealed a comprehensive success with a firm header from Alex Tóth's right-wing corner. Ferencváros will therefore take on Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the play-off stage later this month for a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season.

Elsewhere, Paks's 2-1 victory against Polissya of Ukraine wasn't enough to overturn a 3-0 defeat from the first leg, so their European journey is over for this year, but Győr's is still very much alive after they defeated AIK of Sweden 2-0 at home and 3-2 on aggregate. Zeljko Gavric fuelled Győr hopes of a famous recovery from their 2-1 defeat in the first leg by opening the scoring in the 34th minute and by the hour mark, the hosts were in control of the tie, AIK's Hungary international Áron Csongvai scoring an own goal by misclearing a corner from close range. Győr preserved their slim lead for the rest of the match, thus paving the way for a play-off tie against Rapid Vienna starting next week, which will enable the winners to play in the group stage of the Conference League.