Marco Tavares repeated his feat from the first-leg match and ensured Maribor’s win after a counterattack with Luka Zahović. Maribor has now qualified for the 4th qualifying round for the Champions League and is now just one step away from playing in the Champions League for its first time. The Slovenian champions played there in the 1999-2000 and the 2014-2015 seasons.
The team has already ensured its participation in the group stage of the Europa League and at least six matches on European playing fields. Maribor has played in the Europa League three times and spent the winter there in the 2013-2014 season. Maribor will receive an opponent at a draw that will take place at noon this Friday in Nyon. The team will be the top seed. The first games of the fourth qualifying round will take place on August 15 and 16, while the return matches will be played on August 22 and 23.

At both their home game and at the second leg in Iceland, Maribor showed that they were a much better team. The game was marked by a relaxed pace, but the Slovenian champions had more chances to score and were in command of the game. Zahović hit the goal post during the second half. Tavares then took advantage of the opponents’ more open playing style and ensured his team’s advancement.

T. J., MMC; translated by J. B.