Istanbul: Today, the next matches of the UEFA Champions League play-off round were held, APA reports. The first matches concluded with a series of intense games as teams vied for a coveted spot in the group stage of the tournament.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, “Fenerbahçe” hosted “Benfica” in a tightly contested match at Istanbul’s stadium. Despite both teams’ efforts to secure an advantage in the first leg of the play-off, the match ended in a 0:0 draw. The game kicked off at 23:00 local time and saw both sides creating opportunities but ultimately failing to convert them into goals.

In other matches of the day, “Bodo Glimt” delivered a commanding performance against “Sturm,” securing a decisive 5:0 victory at home. This result significantly boosts their chances of progressing to the next stage. Meanwhile, “Basel” and “Copenhagen” played out a 1:1 draw, and “Celtic” and “Kairat” ended their encounter with a goalless draw, mirroring the result in Istanbul.

The second legs of the play-off round ar
e scheduled for August 26-27, where teams will have another opportunity to claim their place in the Champions League group stage. Fans will eagerly anticipate these matches, hoping for more definitive outcomes as the teams continue their battle for European glory.