Lille has officially qualified for the Champions League group stage despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Slavia Prague in the second leg of their playoff on Wednesday. The French side’s 3-2 aggregate win, bolstered by their 2-0 victory in the first leg, was enough to see them through to Europe’s elite competition.
Lille faced a tough start in Prague, falling behind just five minutes into the match when Slavia’s Christos Zafeiris fired home with a precise first-time finish. The early goal energized the Czech side, who were desperate to overturn their deficit from the first leg.
However, Lille responded in the second half with a crucial equalizer from winger Edon Zhegrova, easing the pressure on the visitors. Slavia Prague continued to fight, with substitute Ivan Schranz restoring their lead in the 84th minute. Despite Slavia’s late push, Lille’s aggregate advantage proved insurmountable.
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This victory marks Lille’s return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2021-22 season, when they reached the last 16, matching their best-ever finish in the competition. The French club now looks ahead to the league-phase draw, where they will face off against Europe’s top teams.
Joining Lille in the Champions League group stage are Red Star Belgrade, Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava, and Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb, who also secured their spots in Wednesday’s playoff matches.
As Lille prepares for the challenges ahead, fans can expect high-stakes football and electrifying matchups in the coming Champions League campaign. The French side’s resilience in the face of pressure will be crucial as they aim to make a deep run in Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
