NK Celje claimed a 2-0 victory over FC Ararat-Armenia in the Champions League after two quick goals in the closing stages decided the match. Y. Dukuly opened the scoring in the 83rd minute with an assist from M. Avdyli, then B. Verbic doubled the lead two minutes later to secure the result.

Match flow from first to second half

The opening period stayed goalless despite plenty of set-piece activity. NK Celje earned the first corner in the 8th minute, and the visitors responded with three corners between the 11th and 16th minutes. Further corners arrived for both sides before the break, including two for Celje in the 17th minute and another in the 31st. Ararat-Armenia added one more corner in the 44th minute as the half ended level.

The second half followed a similar pattern of corner dominance before the decisive moments arrived. Celje took corners in the 54th, 60th, 69th, 70th and then three times around the 74th minute. Additional corners came in the 78th for the home side and three late ones for Ararat-Armenia between the 80th and 82nd minutes. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute when Y. Dukuly scored, followed swiftly by B. Verbic in the 85th minute.

Discipline, corners and final stats

Yellow cards shaped the contest. Ararat-Armenia received two in the 19th minute, while Celje picked up one in the 33rd. The second half brought four more cautions for Celje in the 64th, 66th, 79th and 84th minutes, plus one additional card late on, leaving the home side with five yellows overall against three for the visitors. No red cards or penalty kicks occurred for either team, and four minutes of injury time were added.

Celje finished with 12 corners to Ararat-Armenia’s nine. The late double strike proved enough to separate the sides after a match defined by set pieces and growing tension rather than open play. Visit AltBets for live scores and further Champions League updates.