Champions League: Emmanuel Addai’s splendid strike secures another win for surprise package Qarabag

Azerbaijan champions Qarabag claimed another prominent scalp in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday with a 2-0 home victory over FC Copenhagen in the league phase.

Second half substitute Emmanuel Addai clinched three points for the hosts in Baku with an excellent strike from distance. The 24-year-old bobbed and weaved on the dribble at the edge of the penalty area before finding space to launch a low effort past FC Copenhagen goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.

It was another strong performance from Qarabag, who continued their strong continental campaign by making it two wins from two games in the league phase of Europe’s top club competition. The Azeri champions previously stunned Benfica away from home in Portugal with Cape Verdean forward Leandro Andrade among the heroes.

Addai also came on as a substitute in that match, a role he is accustomed to with the attacker’s pace proving to be especially useful against tired defenses. Wednesday’s goal is his second of the season from twelve appearances in all competitions.

The graduate of the well-known JMG Academy, which counts Accra as a location among its nine academies worldwide, made his first strides in France with lower league side FC 93 based in Bobigny.

After scoring 6 goals in 20 appearances in France’s fourth tier as a 20-year-old, Addai spent two seasons with Spanish club Alcorcon where he played a big role in helping the club earn promotion to LaLiga2. Alcorcon bounced back down to the third tier but Addai was one of the bright spots, producing three goals and four assists before moving to Qarabag ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Qarabag return to league play on Saturday against last placed Kapaz before taking time off for the international break. Their next Champions League game will see them travel to Spain where they will face Iñaki Williams and Athletic Bilbao.