DUBLIN (AP) — world cup Star player Roberto ‘Pico’ López returned to action in the Champions League on Tuesday, captaining Shamrock Rovers to the second qualifying round.
Just 11 days after the match between Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team, epic world cup round 32 gameCape Verde defender López led the Dublin club to a 5-1 win against Maltese champions Floriana in the second leg.
Rovers advanced with a 5-3 aggregate score and will now play Ararat against Armenia next week. Rovers need to progress through four qualifying rounds to enter the favored 36-team main phase, which begins in September.
In the second qualifying round, former European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade will face Northern Ireland champions Larne. Larne defeated Tre Fiori (San Marino) 2-1 on Tuesday to advance by an aggregate score of 3-1.
Iceland’s Vikings drew 2-2 with Gyri Et in Hungary and advanced with a total of three wins and two losses, and will face Hapoel Beersheva in the next round.
The Vikings may have to return to Hungary for the second leg on July 28 or 29. Israeli clubs are unable to host home games in UEFA competitions due to security reasons, and Hapoel Beersheva chose the Hungarian stadium as a neutral venue for last season’s European qualifiers.
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