In a gritty display at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Qarabag FK secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night, marking their second straight victory in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The Azerbaijani champions, already buzzing from a stunning comeback against Benfica, showed no signs of slowing down. Indeed, this result makes history—Qarabag becomes the first team from Azerbaijan to notch back-to-back wins in Europe's elite competition. Copenhagen, meanwhile, looked disjointed, their Danish flair stifled by a resolute home defense.
The scoring opened early when Qarabag's forward Olavio Juninho slotted home in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a swift counter that caught the visitors off guard. Juninho's goal set the tone, and the hosts never really let up, though Copenhagen pressed sporadically in the second half. However, it was Qarabag's midfielder Marko Jankovic who sealed the points with a clinical finish just past the hour mark, curling one into the top corner from outside the box. The Danes, who had hoped to build on their domestic form, managed only a handful of clear chances, with their striker Roony Bardghji firing wide when it mattered most.
Moreover, this triumph boosts Qarabag's standing in Group D, where they're now unbeaten after two matches. Copenhagen's loss exposes some vulnerabilities—perhaps too much reliance on set pieces that didn't click on the night. Coach Gurban Gurbanov praised his side's discipline post-match, noting how they've adapted to the big stage despite the odds. For the visitors, Jacob Neestrup cut a frustrated figure, hinting at tactical tweaks ahead.
Yet, the real story here might be Qarabag's growing confidence on the continental map. They've come a long way from qualifiers to group-stage spoilers. As the league phase rolls on, one wonders how far this momentum can carry them—or if Copenhagen can regroup before it's too late.