Champions League triumph for Sparta Prague: Hosts secure a 3-0 victory, ending a 21-year drought in the competition
Sparta Prague Secures Long-Awaited Champions League Victory Against Salzburg
Sparta Prague made history in the Champions League on a memorable night at the Epet Arena, as they secured their first win in the competition since December 2003, defeating Salzburg 3-0.
The Czech giants started the match with a bang, as Kaan Kairinen scored the opening goal just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on a great save by Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich. The first goal marked the start of a dominant performance by Sparta Prague, extending their lead over Salzburg to 4-0.
The second goal came in the first half, with Victor Olantuji scoring from a tight angle, assisted by captain Filip Panak. The hosts killed the game off just before the hour mark, as Qazim Laci scored the fourth goal, assisted by Olantuji.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Sparta Prague in the Champions League, ending a 14-game winless run in the competition. This was Sparta Prague's first win in the Champions League since 2003, and the first time they have ever started a Champions League campaign with a win.
Sparta Prague first started a UEFA Champions League campaign with a win during the inaugural 1991–92 season of the competition, marking its participation in the first year of the modern Champions League format. Since then, Sparta Prague has had various performances in European competitions, but this victory against Salzburg stands out as a highlight in their recent history.
Despite this impressive performance, Sparta Prague's recent Champions League performance has been less than stellar, as they lost their 2025/26 opening match against Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. However, this victory against Salzburg shows that Sparta Prague is capable of competing at the highest level in European football.
As one of the top clubs in Czech football with a rich history and significant domestic achievements, Sparta Prague will look to build on this victory and continue their push for success in the Champions League.
Sparta Prague has made a resurgence in European leagues, particularly in the Champions League, as they secured a historic 3-0 win against Salzburg, marking their first victory in the competition since 2003. As they move forward in the Champions League, Sparta Prague aims to showcase their skills against teams like Bayer Leverkusen, with the ultimate goal of becoming champions in the future.
