CORNERFLICK
Sabah Baku have reached the Champions League proper for the first time after a remarkable qualifying run that ended with a playoff comeback.
Record-breaking qualification
Founded in 2017, Sabah are the youngest club ever to reach the competition’s main phase. The Azerbaijani side had never played in the Champions League before this season and only entered European competition in 2023/24.
Their route included wins over Newtown from Wales, Finland’s KuPS and Denmark’s Aarhus, before the decisive playoff. Sabah lost the first leg 2-1, then fought back at home after twice falling behind in the second leg. Motallimov levelled the tie in the 94th minute to force extra time, and Mbina and Mikels finished the job.
A first for Azerbaijani football
The run also adds a second Azerbaijani club to the list of teams that have reached the Champions League main stage. Qarabag had been the country’s only previous representative at that level.
Sabah scored 13 goals in qualifying this season, with Veljko Simic leading the way on six. The club, which did not exist nine years ago, will now feature in the 2026/27 Champions League proper.