Qarabag Stun Eintracht Frankfurt With Last-Second Champions League Winner

On a chilly Wednesday night in Baku, the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium was the stage for one of the most dramatic and consequential matches of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Qarabağ FK, Azerbaijan’s perennial champions, hosted Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt in a clash that would determine the fate of both teams’ European ambitions. What unfolded was a pulsating encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.

Qarabağ entered the match with their sights set on securing a top-24 finish, crucial for progression in this season’s expanded Champions League format. Under the steady hand of long-serving manager Qurban Qurbanov, the Azerbaijani side had already notched notable victories against the likes of FC Copenhagen and SL Benfica, and even held Chelsea to a draw. Their campaign, built around a possession-oriented style, had yielded 14 goals but also exposed some defensive frailties, with nine conceded over six games. Still, their home form and resilience gave supporters reason to believe.

Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, arrived in Baku mired in turmoil. Just days earlier, the club parted ways with head coach Dino Toppmöller after a dismal run—just one win in nine games. The reins were handed to interim duo Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier, both promoted from the club’s youth setup. Frankfurt’s Champions League journey had been rocky: one win, one draw, and four losses, with 11 goals scored and 12 conceded. Their defense had wilted under pressure from Europe’s elite, including heavy defeats by Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, and their squad was further depleted by injuries and illness. Key players Jonathan Burkardt, Timothy Chandler, Elias Baum, Hugo Larsson, and Mario Götze were all unavailable, forcing the Germans to dig deep into their roster.

With the stakes sky-high, both teams named attacking lineups. Qarabağ lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Kochalski in goal; Silva, Mustafazadə, Medina, and Jafarguliyev across the back; Pedro Bicalho and Janković anchoring midfield; Leandro Andrade, Montiel, and Zoubir supporting lone striker Camilo Durán. Frankfurt countered with a 3-4-2-1: Kauã Santos between the sticks; Collins, Koch, and Theate forming the defensive trio; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, and Brown across midfield; Dōan and Knauff just behind young striker Can Uzun.

The match exploded into life almost immediately. Just four minutes in, Colombian forward Camilo Durán pounced on a loose ball in the box, finishing from close range to send the home fans into raptures. The early strike was a gut punch for Frankfurt, but they responded with admirable resolve. Only six minutes later, Can Uzun capitalized on a defensive lapse to draw the visitors level. The two teams traded blows for the remainder of the first half, but neither could find the breakthrough.

After the interval, the intensity ratcheted up another notch. Both sides pushed forward, knowing that only a win would keep their Champions League dreams alive. Qarabağ’s defense, marshaled by Mustafazadə and Medina, held firm under pressure, while Frankfurt’s back three were repeatedly tested by the pace and movement of Andrade and Zoubir.

The match’s turning point seemed to arrive in the 78th minute. After a sustained period of Frankfurt pressure, the visitors were awarded a penalty. Farès Chaïbi stepped up and coolly slotted home, giving the Germans a 2–1 lead and, for a fleeting moment, hope of revival. But Qarabağ, as they have done so often under Qurbanov, refused to wilt. Just two minutes later, Elvin Cafarquliyev surged down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Durán, who made no mistake from close range. The stadium erupted as the score was tied at 2–2.

With time ticking away and both sides desperate for a winner, the match became a frantic end-to-end affair. Qarabağ pressed forward, roared on by their passionate supporters. Frankfurt, perhaps feeling the weight of their recent struggles and the absence of their regular head coach, began to tire. The fourth official indicated four minutes of stoppage time, setting the stage for a grandstand finish.

Then, in the dying moments, history was made. Qarabağ won a corner, and as the ball was whipped into the box, Bahlul Mustafazadə rose above the crowd to power home a dramatic winner. The stadium exploded with joy. Not only had Mustafazadə secured a vital three points, but he also etched his name into the record books as the first Azerbaijani player ever to score in the Champions League. According to BBC Sport, “Behlul Mustafazade became the first Azerbaijani player to score in the competition with the last kick of a topsy-turvy contest.”

The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation for Qarabağ and heartbreak for Frankfurt. For the hosts, the 3–2 victory almost certainly guarantees their place in the play-offs, lifting them to 10 points and 19th in the standings. Frankfurt, on the other hand, are now eliminated, sitting 33rd with just four points from seven matches. Their European campaign, already on life support, was dealt the final blow in Baku.

Swiss referee Sandro Schärer oversaw the contest, which was notable not just for its drama but for its historical significance. Qarabağ’s win was their final home fixture of the league phase, and it takes the pressure off their daunting trip to Liverpool on January 28. For Frankfurt, who host Tottenham in their last group game, the focus now shifts to salvaging pride and rebuilding under interim leadership.

Reflecting on the match, it’s hard not to marvel at the resilience and spirit of Qarabağ. Despite missing Kady Borges through injury and with key defenders Kevin Medina and Matheus Silva walking a disciplinary tightrope, the team delivered a performance for the ages. Their aggressive, attacking approach paid dividends, and the home crowd was treated to a night they’ll never forget.

For Eintracht Frankfurt, the defeat is a bitter pill. The club’s decision to part ways with Toppmöller was a gamble, but the interim coaches could do little to stem the tide against a rampant Qarabağ side. Missing several key players and with defensive vulnerabilities exposed, Frankfurt’s Champions League journey ends in disappointment.

As the dust settles, Qarabağ fans can look forward to the next chapter in their European adventure, buoyed by a famous victory and a new national hero. For Frankfurt, it’s back to the drawing board, with questions swirling about the club’s direction and leadership. But for one unforgettable night in Baku, the spotlight belonged to Qarabağ—and to Bahlul Mustafazadə, whose name will echo in Azerbaijani football history for years to come.