Agdam's Qarabağ comprehensive in Valletta victory

Qarabağ FK booked their place in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Valletta FC.

Chumbinho's decisive first-leg goal separated the sides and the Brazilian picked up where he left off. Shortly after half-time he scored his second in as many games after Reynaldo's opener and a 19th-minute red card for Jonathan Caruana had left Qarabağ in a strong position. Danilo Leandro Dias and Leroy George doubled the advantage before Valletta captain Ryan Fenech was also dismissed.

Valletta could not handle Reynaldo. The Qarabağ No9 scored a superb individual effort and then outfoxed Caruana, who brought down the Brazilian and saw red. The goals flowed in the second half. Vugar Nadirov's brilliant pass set up Chumbinho, and Ilgar Gurbanov's terrific touch and cross helped Dias exploit a Nicky Vella mistake to make it 3-0.

Vella atoned for his mistake by expertly denying Dias but could do nothing when Nadirov picked out George ten minutes from time. Fenech's second yellow card soon after compounded a miserable evening for the Maltese champions.

Qarabağ host FC Salzburg next week in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Bakudaily.az