Fenerbahce beat Swiss side, Lugano, in Jose Mourinho’s big win — first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Dynamo Kyiv beat Partizan, while Shamrock Rovers’ hopes of reaching the third qualifying round of this season’s Champions League suffered a blow as they lost to AC Sparta Praha.

Veljko Birmancevic found the bottom right corner in the 37th minute to send the home side into half-time 1-0 down.

Rovers kept fighting at Tallaght Stadium, but the visitors doubled their advantage through Tomas Wiesner with 26 minutes remaining.

The second leg will take place on July 30, with Rovers requiring a convincing win to avoid dropping into the third qualifying round for the UEFA Europa League.

Fenerbahce

Edin Dzeko showed his class as Fenerbahce came out 4-3 winners in a topsy-turvy UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg at Swiss side Lugano.

Ayman El Wafi gave the hosts an early lead but Dzeko got the Turkish giants in front with two goals either side of half-time.

Uran Bislimi got Lugano back on level terms, but Dzeko completed his hat-trick before a Ferdi Kadioglu goal made it 4-2 with 17 minutes remaining.

However, Lugano did not give in and Milton Valenzuela made Mourinho sweat with what proved to be a late consolation in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Fenerbahce will now take their slender lead back to Istanbul. Eurosport

Vanguard News