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Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 25, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

4-1

Arbi Hilal Soudani (9', 80'), Hodzic (15'), Taravel (55')
Santos (48')
FT(HT: 2-1)

Ten-man Dinamo Zagreb march into Champions League group stages

Dinamo Zagreb progress into the Champions League group stages with a 6-2 aggregate win over Skenderbeu Korce.

Ten-man Dinamo Zagreb edged out Albanian outfit Skenderbeu Korce 4-1 on the night to record a 6-2 aggregate victory and progress into the group stages of the Champions League.

Armin Hodzic of Dinamo Zagreb celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off Second Leg match between Dinamo Zagreb and FC Skenderbeu at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday, August 25, 2015© Getty Images

Dinamo kicked off what proved a fast and furious opening quarter of the clash from both sides by drawing first blood after just nine minutes in the Croatian capital.

Josip Pivaric, whose added-time winner last week handed tonight's hosts a 2-1 first-leg lead, turned provider by floating a cross into the box and El Arbi Hillel Soudani's thumping header left Orges Shehi with no chance.

The lead lasted less than a minute, however, as Esquerdinha threw the Albanian minnows - chasing a first-ever group stage berth - a lifeline by blasting home an equaliser from long range.

Esquerdinha of KF Skenderbeu celebrates scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off Second Leg match between Dinamo Zagreb and FC Skenderbeu at Maksimir stadium on August 25, 2015© Getty Images

Unperturbed, Skenderbeu continued on in the same vein and Sabien Lilaj almost levelled up on the night, but his long-range shot whistled just wide of the post before the break.

With a 4-2 aggregate lead, Zagreb seemed to be cruising, but their task was made slightly more treacherous after going down to 10 men early in the second half when Goncalo Santos picked up a second yellow card.

The dismissal only served to unite Zoran Mamic's side who, despite their numerical disadvantage, added a third through Jeremy Taravel on 55 minutes to effectively secure their passage.

Having opened the scoring, Soudani then rounded it off on 80 minutes as the Croatians return among Europe's elite for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

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Skenderbeu's Bledi Shkembi (R) and teammates celebrate after the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League playoff football match between KF Skenderbeu and Dinamo Zagreb at the Elbansan Arena in Elbasan, Albania on August 19, 2015
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