Prishtina, Kosovo — Matej Poplatnik struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give NK Celje a thrilling comeback victory over Drita Gjilan at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in UEFA Conference League qualifying.
Celje dominated possession throughout the match, controlling 60.5% of the ball, and their patient approach paid dividends when it mattered most. The Slovenian side raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes through Ivan Calusic and Armandas Kucys, both scoring in the 19th minute. Milot Avdyli extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 41st minute.
Drita mounted a spirited second-half comeback, with Kemelho Nguena pulling one back in the 49th minute. Blerim Krasniqi added a second in the 59th minute before Mario Kvesic restored Celje's two-goal cushion in the 70th minute. Liridon Balaj's 75th-minute strike leveled the match at 3-3, setting up Poplatnik's dramatic late intervention.
GOALS:- 19' Ivan Calusic - NK Celje- 19' Armandas Kucys - NK Celje- 41' Milot Avdyli - NK Celje- 49' Kemelho Nguena - Drita Gjilan- 59' Blerim Krasniqi - Drita Gjilan- 70' Mario Kvesic - NK Celje- 75' Liridon Balaj - Drita Gjilan- 90'+4' Matej Poplatnik - NK Celje
STANDOUT PLAYERS:- Drita Gjilan: Liridon Balaj - Goal and key role in comeback effort- NK Celje: Matej Poplatnik - Stoppage-time winner
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