The Champions League group stage is now set, all 32 teams having clinched their spot in the meat of Europe’s biggest club competition. Red Star Belgrade was the last team in, booking its spot in the Champions League group stage for the first time ever with a dramatic 2-2 draw with FC Salzburg, advancing on away goals.
Red Star Belgrade is a proud Serbian club, the only team from the former Yugoslavia to win a European trophy, having claimed the European Cup in 1991. But the Star had yet to reach the group stage in the European Cup’s successor, the Champions League, which debuted in 1992.
Last year Red Star advanced to the knockout rounds of the Europa League after finishing second in Group H behind Arsenal, the club’s first appearance in the knockout rounds of European competition since the 1990-91 campaign.
But Red Star Belgrade is back in the Champions League group stage after a wild comeback in Austria on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first leg in the Serbian capital, the teams met at Red Bull Arena Salzburg with everything on the line to be one of the last three teams in the UCL group stage. Early in the second half, Salzburg took a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Moanes Dabour, the second a penalty kick. But the Star scored two goals in a manner of seconds to equalize.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane notched the first with 64:13 on the clock and Milos Degenek made it 2-2 at 65:30 on the clock.
64’: 2-0
65': 2-1
66': 2-2Tune in NOW to see who clinches the #UCL group stage spot https://t.co/H8BzWwianw pic.twitter.com/qvucbJ7dbk— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) August 29, 2018
The goals came moments after Salzburg defender Marin Pongracic probably should have been sent off for stomping on Red Star striker Milan Pavkov.
Only a yellow card?!
[: U.S. only] pic.twitter.com/Clx07rgdgw— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2018
In the end, Red Star Belgrade held on for the 2-2 draw to advance on away goals.
The scenes on the pitch afterward were nothing short of chaotic and hilarious, with a sexy time had by all as the visiting fans were so excited they couldn’t keep their clothes on, or the clothes of their team.
Scenes as Red Star Belgrade celebrate their first UCL appearance since 1991. pic.twitter.com/BIv4LOsR1o
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) August 29, 2018
My personal favorite part was when a couple of Belgrade fans tried to take the shirt off the team’s first goal scorer, but Ben was having none of it.
Red Star Belgrade's Ben (far left) trying to keep a hold of his shirt. Screenshot: TNT
Crvena Zvezda aka Red Star Belgrade have qualified for the CL group stages for the first time ever.
This is hiw their supporters reacted at the final whistle. They won the European Cup in 1991.#SALRED #UCL pic.twitter.com/SVELwQYmqU— Gilles (@GrimandiTweets) August 29, 2018
The Serbian club reportedly had more than 10,000 fans in Austria, with some reports suggesting as many as 15,000 traveled for the match.
More than 10 000 Red Star Belgrade fans away in Salzburg tonight pic.twitter.com/SXN9SOzQUs
— Ultra Style (@ultrastyle01) August 29, 2018
Once the Red Star Belgrade fans put their clothes back on, they’ll want to tune in for the Champions League group stage draw, which is Thursday. The Stars will be in Pot 4, but there are some pretty good teams in every pot (this is the Champions League, after all).
The 2018/19 Champions League is set pic.twitter.com/p0eWbeKj4z
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2018
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