Champions League playoffs: All Tuesday matches end in draws

The race for a spot in the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase saw all three playoff first-leg matches on Tuesday, August 18, end in draws. The results leave all competing clubs needing strong performances in their upcoming return legs. Fenerbahçe and Olympique Lyon played to a 1-1 draw. Lyon took the lead in the 40th minute with a header from Loïs Openda, assisted by Corentin Tolisso. Fenerbahçe equalized later in the match through Mason Greenwood, who scored after a skillful run into the box at the Chobani Stadium. In another match, Dinamo Zagreb and Viking played out a 2-2 tie. The Croatian side initially led 2-0 with goals from Dion Drena Beljo and Mateo Lisica within the first ten minutes at Stadion Maksimir. However, Viking fought back, with Peter Christiansen scoring before halftime and Zlatko Tripic leveling the score in the second half. Levski Sofia, featuring Venezuelan player Christian Makoun on the bench, drew 0-0 with AEK Athens. Makoun has seen limited playing time, appearing in only two of his team's seven matches so far this season. The Champions League playoffs continue on Wednesday, August 19, with four additional matches: Celtic vs. LASK, Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs. Sabah, NEC vs. Bodø/Glimt, and Slovan Bratislava vs. Celje. The return legs for most of these ties are scheduled for August 25 and 26.