22:37  ,  September 16, 2026

Ararat-Armenia started their Europa League campaign with a defeat

Armenian football champions Ararat-Armenia hosted Sparta Prague in the first round of the Europa League. The visitors won the match, held at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, with a score of 4–1 (video).

The Czech team led 2–0 at halftime (video). Norwegian defender Tobias Guddal scored twice, finding the net in the 20th and 22nd minutes.

Ecuadorian midfielder Jhon Mercado scored Sparta's third goal in the 53rd minute.

In the 55th minute, 29-year-old Portuguese defender Bruno Wilson scored for the team managed by Portuguese coach Manuel Tulipa (video); this marked the Armenian team's first-ever goal in the Europa League, the second most prestigious European club competition.

In the 72nd minute, Czech defender Patrik Vydra scored for Sparta.

In the second round, on October 15, Ararat-Armenia will play away against the Polish club Jagiellonia.

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