Atlètic Club d'Escaldes Crashes Out of Conference League 0-6 on Aggregate to Vaduz
FC Vaduz dominated at Estadi Nacional, advancing with goals from Djokic and Simani despite strong saves from Escaldes' Francisco Cano. Andorran champions exit early in qualifying.
Key Points
- Atlètic lost 0-2 at home to FC Vaduz in UEFA Conference League second qualifying return leg.
- Aggregate score: 0-6 after 4-0 first-leg defeat in Liechtenstein.
- Goals: Dejan Djokic (8'), Denis Simani (73'); Escaldes keeper Pacho Cano made key saves.
- Andorra's Euro hopes now on Inter Club d'Escaldes in third round.
Atlètic Club d'Escaldes suffered a 0-2 home defeat to FC Vaduz in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round return leg, exiting Europe on a 0-6 aggregate scoreline after a 4-0 first-leg loss in Liechtenstein.
The match took place Tuesday afternoon at Estadi Nacional, where the Andorran champions posed little threat of overturning the deficit. Vaduz, Liechtenstein's cup winners, controlled proceedings from the outset under coach Marc Schneider, while Aldo Papadopoulos's side saw their continental run end abruptly. Andorra's remaining European hopes now lie with Inter Club d'Escaldes, who await a third-round qualifier against either The New Saints or FC Tallinn.
Vaduz opened the scoring in the eighth minute as Dominik Schwizer crossed to the back post for Dejan Djokic to finish from close range. Moments later, Atlètic came close to leveling when Djokic's backpass toward goalkeeper Leon Schaffran nearly resulted in an own goal, but Schaffran cleared off the line.
Escaldes keeper Francisco "Pacho" Cano kept the scoreline respectable, first blocking Djokic from a Nicolas Hasler cutback and later denying him again. Before halftime, the hosts created their clearest chances: Borja Morales shot over from distance, and Adrián Gallego forced a foot save from Schaffran when through one-on-one.
The second half remained one-sided, with Cano thwarting two Vaduz one-on-ones. Vaduz sealed progress in the 73rd minute when Denis Simani poked home amid a goalmouth scramble and deflections. Pacho then denied a late strike from Mischa Beeli to prevent a third.
Around 80 Vaduz supporters made the trip to cheer their team's advancement, secured well before the final whistle.
Match details
Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (0): Francisco Cano; Marcos Blasco, Chinchu, Emanoel, Juan Barragán; Jean-Luc, Borja Morales, Gemelson; Sergio Rodríguez, Jota Sanmartful, Adrián Gallego.
Coach: Aldo Papadopoulos.
FC Vaduz (2): Leon Schaffran; Nicolas Hasler, Denis Simani, Dominik Schwizer, Dejan Djokic; Luca Mack, Mischa Eberhard, Mats Hammerich, Niklas Lang; Milos Cocic, Dejan Sorgic.
Coach: Marc Schneider.
Goals: Djokic (8'), Simani (73').
Referee: Dominik Starý.
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