Jagiellonia Bialystok defeats Iberia Tbilisi 4-0 in Europa League play-off opener

Early Georgian pressure in Bialystok

Jagiellonia Bialystok secured a 4-0 win over Georgian club Iberia Tbilisi in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off round on Thursday. Playing before 19,108 spectators at their home stadium, the Polish champions entered the match following a previous 1-1 draw against Rangers FC in Glasgow. Head coach Adrian Siemieniec made a single change to that lineup, starting Swedish winger Jeremy Agbonifo on the right flank instead of Rodrigo Conceicao. The visiting side established early control, pressing aggressively and forcing turnovers in the defensive third. Nikoloz Dadiani tested goalkeeper Slawomir Abramowicz from distance, and Nika Sikharulashvili struck the side netting from inside the penalty area in the 15th minute.

First-half lead via penalty and Agbonifo

Jagiellonia shifted the momentum as Agbonifo began creating opportunities on the wing. In the 21st minute, Agbonifo put the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out because Kajetan Szmyt was in an offside position. Ten minutes later, Agbonifo bypassed a defender and was brought down in the box by Ibrahim Alhassan. Spanish referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea awarded a penalty kick to the hosts. Goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze stopped Jesus Imaz's initial effort, but video assistant referee checks revealed that Iberia defenders encroached into the area before the kick. Imaz took the retake in the 34th minute and scored to make it 1-0. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Agbonifo doubled the advantage after exchanging passes inside the area with Imaz and Norbert Wojtuszek.

Disallowed response and second-half control

Iberia sought an immediate equalizer after the interval and appeared to find one through Zviad Natchkhebia in the 51st minute. His low shot beat Abramowicz into the bottom corner, but the goal was disallowed after a video review confirmed a foul against a Jagiellonia player during the buildup. Prior to the match, Iberia head coach Andriy Demchenko had stated that his squad would compete without fear.

We are going to play against a very good team, but I want to emphasize that we are not afraid of them. We are at a stage where we have nothing to be afraid of.

Jagiellonia restored control and made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute when a free kick delivered by Guilherme Montoia was deflected into his own goal by Alhassan.

Final strike and play-off picture

The visiting side continued searching for a goal, forcing Abramowicz into long-range saves, while substitute Eldar Kuliiev headed against the crossbar from a corner in the 88th minute. In the 92nd minute, Spanish substitute Sergio Lozano curled a long-range shot into the upper corner to conclude the scoring at 4-0. The second leg takes place on 27 August in Tbilisi, where Jagiellonia will defend their four-goal advantage for a place in the Europa League league phase. Elsewhere in Polish European qualifying on Thursday, Lech Poznan secured a 7-0 home win over Swiss side FC Thun in their Europa League play-off first leg.