Red Star Belgrade’s impressive six-game unbeaten streak in the UEFA Europa League (five wins, one draw) came to a dramatic end as Lille overturned the tie to win 2-0 after extra-time, booking their place in the Round of 16.
Ironically, Red Star had opened that same streak with a 1-0 victory over Lille during the group stage, and had also beaten the French side by the same scoreline in last week’s first leg of the knockout play-off.
The Serbian champions showed no intention of sitting back on their advantage, registering the first shot on target within 90 seconds, though it was easily collected by Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer. Yet the early optimism quickly faded.
Just four minutes in, Lille captain Benjamin Andre delivered a pinpoint cross from a throw-in that 39-year-old Olivier Giroud expertly headed past Matheus, leaving the Stadion Rajko Mitic crowd stunned.
For the rest of the first half, Red Star struggled to assert themselves. Their passing misfired repeatedly, and Lille comfortably controlled the game.
The home side’s best opening came when Ozer misplayed a pass near his own box, but the goalkeeper escaped unpunished
Giroud also missed a chance to double Lille’s lead before halftime, as Matheus made a low save and then blocked attempts from Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Seeking a response, Red Star head coach Dejan Stankovic made a double substitution after the break, introducing Marko Arnautovic, the hero of their November group-stage win over Lille.
The changes brought some urgency, and the hosts began to threaten more regularly. Still, Ozer’s goal was only tested seriously in the 78th minute, when he parried Seol Young-Woo’s strike.
Late in normal time, Red Star had a golden opportunity to snatch the win. Teenager Vasilije Kostov drove down the right and sent a cross into the box, but it went straight to Ozer, who claimed it comfortably. With the tie still level over 180 minutes, the match headed into extra-time.
The breakthrough came in the 99th minute. Romain Perraud’s clearance was flicked on by Giroud to Fernandez-Pardo, who cut inside and squared for Felix Correia.
His pass found substitute Nathan Ngoy, who finished clinically, leaving Red Star stunned. Despite late efforts from Aleksandar Katai and a header from Arnautovic, Lille held on.
Matheus also denied Correia in the closing stages, sealing the French side’s progression.
The defeat marked the first loss under Stankovic since his December appointment, while Lille celebrated back-to-back victories across all competitions for the first time in over two months, giving their season a fresh spark.
