KuPS's chase was unsuccessful, Vardar Skopje won a nail-biting match in the qualifying round.
KuPS lost to Vardar Skopje 2-3 in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League at the Savon Sanomat Areena stadium, after a tense back-and-forth match. Vardar Skopje secured the victory, while KuPS failed to complete the chase.
- 0'The match has started.
KuPS hosts Vardar Skopje.
- 24'A. Puukko received a yellow card.
In the 24th minute, A. Puukko of KuPS received a yellow card for a foul on Holding. The match between KuPS and Vardar Skopje is still evenly contested.
- 44'VR Gasc receives a yellow card.
In the 44th minute, VR Gasc of KuPS received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. The final minutes of the first half were becoming tense as players from both sides were cautioned.
- 44'G. Rodrigues received a yellow card.
In the 44th minute, G. Rodrigues (Vardar Skopje) received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. More cards were issued as KuPS and Vardar Skopje remained tied.
- 45'End of the first half
The first half ended with a score of 0-0.
- 46'The second half has begun.
The second half has begun.
- 46'KuPS made a substitution at the start of the second half.
In the 46th minute, KuPS brought S. Savolainen onto the field to replace A. Puukko. The match resumed after the break with the score at 0-0, and KuPS immediately made personnel changes.
- 58'KuPS made a substitution in the 58th minute.
In the 58th minute, KuPS brought S. Touray onto the field to replace G. Engvall. This was the first substitution recorded in the second half, as the match remained tense.
- 58'KuPS made a substitution in the 58th minute.
In the 58th minute, KuPS brought P. Parzyszek onto the field to replace JJ Moreno Ciorciari. The home team made personnel changes in the second half.
- 59'Vardar Skopje opened the scoring with an own goal.
In the 59th minute, S. Savolainen (KuPS) scored an own goal, giving Vardar Skopje a 0-1 lead. The away team now holds the advantage after the opening goal.
- 74'Vardar Skopje was substituted in the 74th minute.
In the 74th minute, E. Spahiu came on as a substitute for Miguel Pires for Vardar Skopje. The substitution came as Vardar Skopje were leading KuPS, and the match was entering a tense phase.
- 74'Vardar Skopje was substituted in the 74th minute.
In the 74th minute, I. Puleio came on as a substitute for A. Omeragic for Vardar Skopje. The visiting team made the substitution while leading KuPS, aiming to maintain their advantage.
- 85'Vardar Skopje was substituted in the 85th minute.
In the 85th minute, Vardar Skopje brought G. Zakaric onto the field to replace M. Manevski. The substitution occurred while Vardar Skopje was leading.
- 87'E. Spahiu received a yellow card in the 87th minute.
In the 87th minute, E. Spahiu of Vardar Skopje received a yellow card after a foul.trippingThis was a warning for player Vardar Skopje in the final minutes of the match.
- 88'C. Fabbiani received a yellow card at the end of the match.
In the 88th minute, C. Fabbiani of Vardar Skopje received a yellow card. The away team had to be more cautious in the final minutes as they were leading KuPS 0-1.
- 90+1'Zakaric was cool from the penalty spot.
In the 90+1st minute, G. Zakaric successfully converted a penalty, giving Vardar Skopje a 0-2 lead. The late goal doubled the visitors' advantage.
- 90+5'Vardar Skopje was substituted in injury time.
In the 90+5th minute, N. Mishkovski came on as a substitute for F. Najdovski of Vardar Skopje. The away team was leading 0-2, and the last-minute substitution helped them close out the game more proactively.
- 90+6'P. Parzyszek received a yellow card in injury time.
In the 90+6th minute, P. Parzyszek (KuPS) received a yellow card after a rough foul. KuPS were still trailing Vardar Skopje 0-2 in the final minutes.
- 90+11'S. Savolainen received a yellow card in the 90+11th minute.
In the 90+11th minute, S. Savolainen of KuPS received a yellow card for roughing. In injury time, KuPS received another card while trailing Vardar Skopje 0-2.
- 91'Extra time
The match went into extra time.
- 93'Vardar Skopje was substituted in the 93rd minute.
In the 93rd minute, F. Cvetkovski came on as a substitute for D. Velkovski for Vardar Skopje. The visiting team made a personnel change in the final minutes, while holding a significant advantage over KuPS.
- 100'KuPS rekindled hope in the 100th minute.
In the 100th minute, B. Armah scored for KuPS after an assist from C. Antwi, reducing the score to 1-2 against Vardar Skopje. The late goal gave KuPS a glimmer of hope in the final minutes.
- 102'I. Puleio extended Vardar Skopje's lead.
In the 102nd minute, I. Puleio scored for Vardar Skopje after an assist from G. Zakaric, increasing the score to 1-3. Vardar Skopje once again created a safe lead over KuPS.
- 105+1'KuPS rekindled hope in the 105+1 minute.
In the 105th minute + 1st minute, P. Parzyszek successfully converted a penalty, helping KuPS reduce the deficit to 2-3 against Vardar Skopje. The gap is now only one goal, and KuPS is still striving to find an equalizer.
- 105+2'KuPS made a substitution in the 105th minute + 2.
In the 105th minute plus 2, A. Lotjonen came on as a substitute for T. Jyry of KuPS. The home team continued to make personnel changes in the final minutes of extra time.
- 106'D. Babunski came on as a substitute for Vardar Skopje.
In the 106th minute, D. Babunski came on as a substitute for D. Castaneda of Vardar Skopje. This substitution came at a time when Vardar Skopje needed to protect their slender lead against KuPS.
- 111'KuPS makes substitutions in extra time.
In the 111th minute, N. Kujasalo came on as a substitute for P. Pennanen of KuPS. The Finnish team continued to make personnel changes while trailing Vardar Skopje 2-3.
- 111'KuPS made a substitution in the 111th minute.
In the 111th minute, KuPS brought on J. Luyeye-Lutumba to replace B. Armah. KuPS made the substitution while trailing Vardar Skopje 2-3 in the final, tense minutes.
- 113'N. Mishkovski received a yellow card in the 113th minute.
In the 113th minute, N. Mishkovski (Vardar Skopje) received a yellow card for a handball. Vardar Skopje were leading KuPS 3-2, but the final minutes were still tense.
- 120+2'F. Cvetkovski received a yellow card in the 120+2 minute.
In the 120+2 minute, F. Cvetkovski of Vardar Skopje received a yellow card after a foul. This was another warning sign for Vardar Skopje at a time when the match was already tense.
- KTFinal score: KuPS 2-3 Vardar Skopje
The match ended with a score of 2-3.
Updated at 00:48 on July 15, 2026
KuPS will face Vardar Skopje at Vare Areena at 10 PM on July 14, 2026, in the UEFA Champions League. The home team enters the match after a victory, while Vardar Skopje suffered a defeat in their last match. Their two most recent encounters also show that KuPS has not lost to Vardar Skopje, with one win and one draw.
KuPS had a more favorable start.
Their recent victory gives KuPS a positive morale boost ahead of this encounter. While the available data doesn't detail how they achieved that result, the win itself gives KuPS added confidence going into the match at Vare Areena.
It's noteworthy that KuPS not only has a better recent record, but also holds the advantage in their last two encounters. A win and a draw show that they have created a positive balance when facing Vardar Skopje. However, the head-to-head data is still limited, so KuPS needs to maintain focus instead of relying solely on previous results.
Vardar Skopje needs to react after the defeat.
Vardar Skopje enters the match with a slight psychological disadvantage having just lost their last game. This necessitates a tight start and emotional control, especially considering the visitors are facing KuPS, an opponent they have been unbeaten in their last two encounters.
Vardar Skopje may opt for a more cautious approach in the early stages, prioritizing limiting space and waiting for opportunities to transition. The data provided does not include tactical formations, absent personnel, or technical statistics, so it is not yet possible to determine specifically which deployment method the away team will choose.
The key point in the confrontation.
The match will likely be decided by how both teams handle pressure in crucial moments. KuPS has the advantage from their recent results and head-to-head record, but that advantage will only be realized if the home team maintains the initiative in their gameplay.
Conversely, Vardar Skopje needs to turn their recent defeat into motivation to play more disciplined. Avoiding being drawn into KuPS's game plan will be a crucial task for the visitors. Since the data doesn't provide information about the expected lineup, it's impossible to draw specific conclusions about which individuals or tactical areas could make a difference.
Pre-match analysis
KuPS has more favorable signs ahead of the match: they won their last game and have a record of one win and one draw in their last two encounters with Vardar Skopje. Vardar Skopje still has a chance to create a competitive game if they quickly recover from their recent defeat.
Overall, KuPS is considered to have a slight psychological advantage and confidence ahead of the match at Vare Areena. However, the available data is not enough to confirm the final result. The key will lie in KuPS's ability to capitalize on their early advantage and Vardar Skopje's reaction to the pressure from the home team.
*This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).
