Benchaib scored in the 24th. Žalgiris were ahead.
They stayed ahead until the 82nd minute. Then Krasniqi equalised for Drita. 1-1.
That is the tie at half-time. Second leg in Kosovo next week. Everything still to play for.
Benchaib. 24th Minute. Žalgiris Ahead.
Lekiatas assisted. Benchaib finished. 1-0.
Kauno Žalgiris were the Lithuanian champions last season. Their reward was a UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign. This was the opening leg of their first qualifying round tie. Getting the first goal at home was exactly what they needed.
For nearly an hour they protected it. Drita had the ball. Created moments. Could not convert.
Drita won a European tie in six of the seven seasons they have entered UEFA competition. They have been in the Conference League, reached the knockout playoff stage last year before losing to Celje. Experience at this level. They were not going to let one goal end the tie in Lithuania.
Krasniqi. 82nd Minute. Tie Level.
Ovouka assisted. Krasniqi scored. 1-1.
Eight minutes from the end of the first leg. With everything Žalgiris had done to protect the lead, one moment undid it.
Krasniqi — who had been brought on as a substitute — arrived in the right place. Finished. The Drita players celebrated like they had won the tie. They had not won the tie. They had levelled the first leg with eight minutes left.
The final whistle came soon after. 1-1. Drita leave Lithuania without defeat.
What This Means
Kauno Žalgiris came into this in poor domestic form. Fourth in the Lithuanian A Lyga at the time. A goalless draw against Dziugas in their last league match. A club that won the championship in 2025 now sitting behind Dziugas, Suduvą and TransINVEST.
Champions League qualifying is the better version of this team. The European stage brings out different qualities. They led for 58 minutes in the first leg. Gave it away at the end. Still alive.
Drita go home knowing 1-1 away from home is a good result. Very good. They had won European ties six out of seven times in recent seasons. This tie is not won yet but the second leg at their own ground, in front of their own supporters, with the score level — that is exactly where Drita want to be.
The second leg on 14/15 July in Gjilan. Whoever wins goes to the second qualifying round. Whoever loses drops into the Europa League qualifying rounds.
For more UEFA Champions League qualifying coverage visit FawaNews football. Full qualifying bracket, results and fixtures at the official UEFA Champions League website.
Kauno Žalgiris 1-1 Drita Gjilan UEFA Champions League 2026/27 — First Qualifying Round, First Leg | Tuesday, 7 July 2026 | Kaunas, Lithuania
Goals: A. Benchaib 24′ (ZAL, assist R. Lekiatas) | B. Krasniqi 82′ (DRI, assist R. Ovouka)
Kauno Žalgiris XI: Aliukonis | Mikelionis, Racic, Hernández, Edokpolor | Černych, Sirgėdas, Slivka, Burba | Kadrić, (others)
Drita Gjilan XI: (4-2-3-1) | Isufi, Behluli, Salihu, Mjaki | Balaj, Baeten | Arthur, Manaj, Grezda | (others) Subs: Krasniqi (scored 82′), Ovouka (assisted 82′)
Second Leg: Drita Gjilan vs Kauno Žalgiris | 14/15 July 2026 | Gjilan, Kosovo
