YEREVAN — Armenian champions Ararat-Armenia secured a place in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League after earning a dramatic 1-0 victory over Romanian side Universitatea Craiova in the second leg of their playoff tie at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, neither team was able to score during regulation time in Yerevan. The decisive drama unfolded deep into stoppage time.
In the 90+5th minute, Ararat-Armenia forward Sandro Lima missed a penalty, disappointing the home supporters. However, just three minutes later, in the 90+8th minute, Lima redeemed himself by scoring the historic winning goal for the Yerevan club.
With the victory, Ararat-Armenia won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and qualified for the Europa League league phase.
The achievement marks the first time in the club’s history that Ararat-Armenia will compete in the league phase of a European competition. It also makes Ararat-Armenia the first Armenian club to reach the main phase of the UEFA Europa League.
Ararat-Armenia becomes the fourth Armenian club to qualify for the league phase or group stage of a UEFA club competition.
Alashkert, Pyunik and Noah previously reached the main stage of European competition, with all three competing in the UEFA Conference League.
