The visitors knew that a fast start was imperative if they were to overturn their two-goal deficit, and Robbie Keane’s side did just that. The game’s first opportunity saw Nəriman Axundzadə’s shot from a tight angle evade both the left post and the outstretched Kady Borges.
Then, with 12 minutes on the clock, the Hungarian side went ahead after a VAR check confirmed that Barnabás Varga had just stayed onside before squaring the ball to strike partner Lenny Joseph, who rolled it into an empty net to give the visitors the perfect start.
Varga has struck five goals in the UCL so far this term, and he almost added to that tally when his outstretched right boot directed Jonathan Levi’s free-kick into the area just wide of the right post.
The Greens were enjoying a hugely encouraging start, however, the tie was turned on its head in the final 20 minutes of the first half. First, Axundzadə broke into the area before squaring to Leandro Andrade who fired into the bottom right-hand corner.
Then, just before half time, Andrade turned provider as he sprinted into the area before squaring to Abdellah Zoubir, who rolled the ball into the net to put the hosts in a commanding position.
Similar to the first half, a strong start to the second period was needed from Ferencvaros, and just 10 minutes after the restart, Varga converted a penalty to renew the away side’s interest with over half an hour still left to play.
Needing two more goals to level the tie, the visitors threatened a late comeback when Alex Tóth netted with 10 minutes remaining, but the home side held on to deny the Greens a first UCL main draw appearance since 2020/21, with their 3-1 home defeat in the first leg ultimately proving costly.
For Qarabag, this was a historic night as they booked their place in Europe's premier club competition, despite suffering a first defeat in four H2Hs on the night.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Leandro Andrade (Qarabag)