At the Gradski Stadium in Nikšić on 15 July 2026, Kairat Almaty produced a focused second-leg display to eliminate Montenegrin champions Sutjeska from the competition. Having won the first leg 2-1 in Almaty — where Marc Gual had proved decisive with a stoppage-time strike — the Kazakhs sealed their place in the next qualifying round of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory on the night.
Balanced first half, early disciplinary problems for Sutjeska
The first half ended goalless but left its mark on the home side's disciplinary record. Simun was shown a yellow card in the 25th minute, with Golubovic following him into the referee's book just four minutes later. Sutjeska were already under considerable pressure: the Montenegrin champions arrived having lost their only counted fixture in recent form, and carrying a two-goal deficit from the first leg, meaning nothing short of a convincing win would do. Kairat set up in a 4-2-3-1, Sutjeska in a 4-3-3, yet neither side established clear dominance in the opening 45 minutes.Bekbolat breaks the deadlock, Raznatovic sees red
The tie was decided after the break. In the 65th minute, Raznatovic picked up his first yellow card — a sign of things to come. Three minutes later, substitute Ismail Bekbolat broke the deadlock for Kairat. The young Kazakh striker, born in 2008, finished to make it 0-1. He was withdrawn in 69th minute, his job was done. Raznatovic then compounded his side's misery in the 79th minute: a second yellow card brought a red, leaving Sutjeska to navigate the final eleven minutes with ten men.Jorginho wraps it up from the penalty spot
Kairat made their numerical advantage count. Jorge Gabriel Costa Monteiro, who had joined from Luxembourg side Differdange in December 2024 on a two-year contract, stepped up to convert a penalty in the 83rd minute and seal a 0-2 scoreline. It was a significant contribution in European competition for the Portuguese striker. Sutjeska offered little threat in the closing stages; yellow cards for home substitute Hocko (88') and Kairat's Oksanen (89') rounded off an intense but ultimately one-sided finale. Kairat Almaty, managed by Rafael Urazbakhtin, impressed across both legs with a solid defensive structure and efficient Offense. Sutjeska and head coach Milorad Pekovic, meanwhile, bow out at the first-round stage — without a single point from their tie against the Kazakh club.
In this article: