With Pafos needing only a draw to make club history, the opening 30 minutes provided a tense and cagey affair. However, Pafos grew into the game and were the more threatening side as the match progressed, getting their best chance of the first half in the 34th minute, when Anderson Silva’s close-range header was palmed away by Crvena zvezda goalkeeper Matheus.
Eight minutes later, Joao Correia’s effort from the edge of the penalty area forced another decent save from the Brazilian shot-stopper. Red Star’s response to Pafos’ chances was muted at best, and Bruno could have done a lot better with his header on target from a corner in first-half injury time, only to put it straight at Matheus and grant the Serbians a big let off.
Though they didn’t exactly start the second half racing out of the traps, Crvena zvezda took the initiative after their earlier reprieve, and levelled the tie at the hour mark, when skipper Mirko Ivanic’s deflected effort from 18 yards out found the net.
The hosts then regained their former sense of purpose, after they crafted a good chance on 83’, when Bruno Felipe’s shot from inside the penalty area was steered wide of the post.
Frustration would turn to elation just six minutes later though, when substitute Jaja’s audacious attempt from inside the box - following a right-wing delivery from Pepe Rodrigues - went into the top corner.
Pafos’ dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory is a phenomenal achievement, considering the club was only formed 11 years ago, and Juan Carlos Carcedo’s side are now only the third Cypriot club to have ever reached the UCL’s main draw.
Flashscore Man of the Match: David Goldar (Pafos)