Aluminij vs Dinamo Tirana

Dinamo Tirana struck first and early. In the 15th minute, H. Berisha finished calmly to put the Albanian visitors ahead, capitalising on a defensive lapse from the Slovenian hosts. The goal stood as the only score of a first half in which Dinamo looked the sharper side, leaving Aluminij with a 1-0 deficit at the break.

Aluminij made a change at half-time, replacing D. Simunic — who had been booked in the 30th minute — with H. Sørensen. The home side pushed for an equaliser but struggled to carve out clear chances. V. Koderman and Sørensen both received yellow cards in the 52nd and 63rd minutes respectively as frustration grew.

Manager P. Petrisko brought on A. Bloudek for E. Taylor in the 71st minute — a substitution that proved decisive. With six minutes of normal time remaining, Bloudek delivered the cross and Mario Vrbanec rose to head home, levelling the tie at 1-1.

Bloudek's introduction in the 71st minute shifted the momentum. Until then, Aluminij had controlled territory but lacked incision in the final third. The 23-year-old's delivery from wide gave Vrbanec the chance he needed, and the header transformed the complexion of the tie ahead of next week's second leg in Albania.

• Mario Vrbanec (Aluminij): Scored the crucial equaliser with a well-timed header in the 84th minute. His first goal of the European campaign could prove vital.
• A. Bloudek (Aluminij): Changed the game off the bench. Provided the assist for Vrbanec's goal within 13 minutes of entering the pitch.
• H. Berisha (Dinamo Tirana): Took his early chance clinically to put the visitors ahead. A constant threat on the counter.

Player of the match: Mario Vrbanec — for the goal that keeps Aluminij level in the tie.

Aluminij collected four yellow cards (Simunic 30', Koderman 52', Sørensen 63', Schaubach 90+3') to Dinamo Tirana's none, reflecting the home side's struggle to contain the visitors' counter-attacks. Aluminij made three substitutions to Dinamo's one, underlining a more aggressive approach from the bench. The home side's goal came from a Bloudek cross 13 minutes after his introduction, while Dinamo's lone strike arrived in the 15th minute and they failed to add to it despite promising breaks.

The tie is finely poised at 1-1 ahead of the second leg in Albania next week. Aluminij, appearing in European competition for the first time after winning the Slovenian Cup, will feel confident having secured a draw after trailing. Dinamo Tirana will be the happier side having taken a first-half lead away from home, but will rue not extending their advantage before Aluminij's late response.

Aluminij travel to Albania for the return leg on 30 July 2026, while Dinamo Tirana host the Slovenian side knowing a score draw or a win will send them through to the third qualifying round.

A fair result on the balance of play. Dinamo Tirana's early goal gave them a platform they could not build on, while Aluminij's second-half pressure eventually told. The tie remains wide open, and both sides will believe they can reach the next round. The second leg promises to be a tense affair.