Sikharulashvili’s Extra-Time Strike Sends Saburtalo Past Larne

Sikharulashvili Sends Saburtalo Through in Extra Time

Saburtalo defeated Larne 2-1 after extra time in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The match appeared headed toward a tight finish after both teams scored within two minutes in the second half, but N. Sikharulashvili’s extra-time strike gave Saburtalo the decisive victory.

Saburtalo Edges Larne After Extra Time

Saburtalo Edges Larne After Extra Time

Saburtalo eventually secured the result in a match that remained level through 90 minutes. The 2-1 scoreline reflects a closely contested encounter, with neither side able to establish a winning margin after the late exchange of goals.

The victory came in the 102nd minute, allowing Saburtalo to finish stronger during extra time. Both teams had entered the match after recording a draw in their most recent outing, but Saburtalo ended that sequence with a significant European win.

Bedoshvili Breaks the Deadlock

Bedoshvili Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute when V. Bedoshvili put Saburtalo ahead. N. Sikharulashvili supplied the assist, creating the opening for Bedoshvili to register the first goal of the match.

That goal changed the direction of the contest and placed Larne under immediate pressure to respond. Saburtalo’s advantage, however, lasted only two minutes, ensuring that the closing stages of normal time became particularly important.

Larne Responds Before Sikharulashvili Strikes Again

Larne Responds Before Sikharulashvili Strikes Again

Larne answered in the 76th minute through J. Simpson, restoring parity almost immediately after Saburtalo had taken the lead. The rapid response kept the match balanced and sent it into extra time at 1-1.

Sikharulashvili then became the central figure in the decisive moment. In the 102nd minute, he scored Saburtalo’s second goal with N. Dadiani providing the assist, turning his earlier contribution into a match-winning performance.

Cards and Match Impact

Cards and Match Impact

The referee, Rohit Saggi of Norway, issued seven yellow cards during the match. Larne’s S. Graham was booked in the 59th minute, while Saburtalo’s J. Jinjolava and Sikharulashvili received cautions in the 63rd and 67th minutes respectively.

The disciplinary pressure continued through extra time, with Saburtalo’s A. Dzagania and N. Dadiani, and Larne’s J. McEneff and D. Bent also booked. No standings data is available for this qualifying-round fixture, so the precise league-position impact cannot be stated, but Saburtalo’s win advances its European campaign while Larne’s ends in defeat.