Eintracht Frankfurt’s Champions League hopes ended in Baku after a 3‑2 defeat to Qarabag that came on a stoppage‑time winner. The Germans, who needed a victory to stay in the running, fell behind in the first half and could not recover.
The game began unfavourably for Frankfurt. Qarabag pressed early and capitalised on a quick rebound after a set‑piece: in the 4th minute Camilo Durán headed the ball past the keeper to give the hosts a 1‑0 lead. Frankfurt responded immediately-just six minutes later Can Uzun collected a ball at the edge of their own box and finished with a low shot to level at 1‑1.
The first half was dominated by Qarabag, who controlled possession and threatened from the left side. Eintracht held a tight shape but missed chances, and the teams were dead‑locked at half‑time.
After the break, Qarabag seemed to dictate the game, while Frankfurt struggled to create offensive rhythm. The decisive moment arrived in the final quarter: after a duel in their penalty area, referee Sandro Schärer awarded Frankfurt a penalty in the 76th minute, and Fares Chaibi calmly slotted it to give the Hesse club a 2‑1 advantage.
Only two minutes later Qarabag struck back. A swift attack from the left saw Cəfərquliyev deliver a precise pass inside the area where Camilo Durán, who had already scored earlier, found an opening and struck a quick one from close range, restoring parity at 2‑2. Both sides pushed for the win in the closing minutes, as a draw would have given Frankfurt no real chance of progressing.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Matheus Silva produced a slick move down the right flank and fed the ball into the box. Bəhlul Mustafazadə emerged into a gap and blasted the ball to beat the goalkeeper, sealing a 3‑2 win for Qarabag. The goal came just before the final whistle, ending Frankfurt’s campaign and sending the Azerbaijani side further into the playoffs.
For Eintracht Frankfurt, the loss is a heavy blow, as a win had been essential to keep their survival bid alive. Qarabag, on the other hand, can now look ahead, buoyed by the late triumph.