Red Star Belgrade advances to Champions League third qualifying round

Red Star Belgrade secured their place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Larne on July 29, 2026. Having won the first leg in Northern Ireland 4-0, the Serbian champions dominated the return fixture with a 9-0 aggregate score. Cypriot winger Loizos Loizou made his European debut for the club and marked the occasion by scoring the team's third goal in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by the visitors.

Following this decisive win, Red Star Belgrade is set to face Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the next stage of the competition. Other results from the second qualifying round included Fenerbahçe drawing 1-1 with Górnik to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory, and Slovan Bratislava advancing despite a 1-1 draw with Iberia, taking a 3-1 aggregate win. These qualifying matches conclude with the next round scheduled for August 4/5 and August 11.