Who are Qarabag? Azerbaijan's champions deliver first shock of Champions League season with win over Benfica

Qarabag, the reigning champions of Azerbaijan's top-tier football league, delivered a surprise victory over Portuguese powerhouse Benfica in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Oleksiy Kashchuk's late goal in the 86th minute sealed a 3-2 win for the Azerbaijani club, marking their first-ever victory in the prestigious European competition. The match saw Qarabag take an early lead, only for Benfica to equalize and then take the lead. However, the underdogs from Azerbaijan fought back, scoring two late goals to secure the historic upset. This result is a significant achievement for Qarabag, a relatively unknown team on the global stage, and a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen. The win not only shakes up the standings in the group but also highlights the growing competitiveness of smaller clubs in the Champions League, where they can now challenge the traditional European heavyweights. Qarabag's triumph serves as an inspiration for other teams aspiring to make their mark on the European football scene.