Pafos FC eliminated from Europa League after 3-3 draw with Salzburg

On August 13, 2026, Pafos FC hosted Red Bull Salzburg at the Alphamega Stadium for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. Despite entering the match with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, the Cypriot side produced an explosive first half, taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Lele and Biel. However, Salzburg mounted a comeback in the second half, with Petar Tabakovic scoring a hat-trick to put the visitors in front 3-2. Fuad Mammadov leveled the score at 3-3 in the 84th minute, but Pafos could not find the winner required to force extra time.

Following the aggregate 4-3 defeat, Pafos manager Ricardo Sa Pinto expressed pride in his players' effort while lamenting a brief loss of concentration that proved decisive. The club now shifts its focus to the UEFA Conference League play-offs, where they will face the Albanian side Dinamo City, who secured their spot by defeating Auda 4-0. The first leg is scheduled for August 20 in Elbasan, with the return leg to take place at the Alphamega Stadium on August 27.