Besiktas advance to Europa League playoffs

The Black Eagles are still in contention for the group stages after they advanced from their qualifier against LASK Linz.

Besiktas are through to the 2018/2019 Europa League playoffs after defeating Austria’s LASK Linz on away goals on Thursday evening.

Last night’s game saw the Super Lig club lose 2-1 in Austria, however, due to their 1-0 win in the first leg of the tie in Istanbul, they managed to win on away goals, 2-2 on aggregate.

LASK Linz were up 2-0 and were just minutes away from knocking out Besiktas until Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo found the back of the net in injury time (90+1).

Negredo came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and was booked in the 85th for violent conduct after clashing with opposition players.

Immediately after scoring to make it 2-1, the Spaniard took off his shirt as he celebrated the goal which saw him booked for a second time which meant he was sent off.

He will miss Besiktas’ next game in their quest to qualify for the group stages, which will be against Serbian club FK Partizan.

The first leg of the tie will take place on August 23rd at Vodafone Park in Istanbul.