Birkirkara will be facing Anderlecht in the final of Group 4 of Round 1 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 after defeating FK Breznica 2-1 after extra-time at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.

The Stripes came back from a goal down, after their opponents had a player sent off, as they equalised to force extra-time and score the winning goal early in the second half of extra-time. Therefore, Birkirkara, for the second time, managed to reach the final of a Round 1 mini-tournament.

Breznica managed to take the lead on 17 minutes when off a cross from the right by Pavlovic, Marijana Jankov beat goalkeeper Maya Cachia with a shot from the edge of the area.

Birkirkara were unlucky not to equalise on 33 minutes but Luana Cabral’s attempt hit the woodwork.

The champions of Montenegro were reduced to ten on 58 minutes as Vujosevic received a second yellow card and was therefore sent off.

The Stripes managed to equalise on the hour courtesy of Yuna Hazekawa whose shot from outside the area beat goalkeeper Milicic.

With the score draw, the game went into extra-time and four minutes in the second half of extra-time, Birkirkara notched the winner courtesy of a Yuna Hazekawa penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area.

BREZNICA Svetlana Milicic, Anastasija Bulic, Marija Maras, Dunja Bojanic (61′ Nela Kolic), Mia Baturan (46′ Amra Mehovic), Tatjana Osmajic, Enida Bosnjak (111′ Ena Spahic), Miljana Pavlovic, Aleksandra Vujosevic, Majda Dresevic.

BIRKIRKARA Maya Cachia, Gabriella Zahra, Stephania Farrugia, Yuna Hazekawa, Francesca Chircop (46′ Erica Bispo), Luana Cabral (90+4′ Amelia Vassallo), Alishia Sultana, Charlene Zammit, Calista Schechinger, Mariah Cardona (63′ Raina Giusti), Valentina Rapa (101′ Martina Fenech).

Referee: Louise Thompson NIR
Assistant referee: Rachel Greer NIR, Giulia Tempestilli ITA
Fourth Official: Martina Molinaro ITA

In the first semi-final on Wednesday, RSC Anderlecht defeated ŽFK Crvena zvezda 4-1.

Red Star Belgrade had Tijana Djordjevic sent off after just two minutes and Anderlecht took full advantage, taking the lead four minutes later courtesy of Stefania Vatafu. Laura Deloose doubled the score on 19 minutes and Amelie Dalebre increased the lead on 58 minutes. Luna Vcanzeir extended the lead on 74 minutes but five minutes in added time, Nina Matejic pulled one back for Red Star.