# Kauno Zalgiris UEFA draw error and 5‑0 loss

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kauno-zalgiris-uefa-competition-mixup
> Updated: 2026-08-02T18:43:31.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 a screen glitch during the UEFA Conference League play‑off draw mistakenly displayed Kauno Žalgiris instead of Zalgiris Vilnius. UEFA clarified that Kauno remained in the Champions League draw against Dinamo Zagreb, while Zalgiris Vilnius stayed in the Conference League tie with Hajduk Split. The mix‑up drew criticism on social media for the similarity of the club names.

Dinamo Zagreb hosted Kauno Žalgiris at Maksimir Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League third‑qualifying round, winning 5‑0 (goals by Miha Zajc, Scott McKenna, Mateo Lisica, Luka Stojković and Lukas Kačavenda). The comprehensive victory gave Dinamo a huge aggregate advantage and virtually guaranteed a place in the playoff round, where a win would see them face Norwegian side Viking. Kauno coach Željko Sopić acknowledged the defeat and shifted focus to the Conference League.

UEFA rules state that if Dinamo were to lose the return match, they would drop into the Europa League group stage, potentially meeting clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus or Benfica.

## Claims

- Dinamo Zagreb defeated Kauno Žalgiris 5‑0 in the first leg of the Champions League third‑qualifying round on 4 August 2026 at Maksimir. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Goals were scored by Miha Zajc (32'), Scott McKenna (33'), Mateo Lisica (51'), Luka Stojković (76') and Lukas Kačavenda (90+4'). (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The victory gave Dinamo Zagreb a decisive advantage for the second leg and effectively secured a place in the Champions League playoff round. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Dinamo Zagreb's next opponent in the qualifying path is Norwegian club Viking. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Kauno Žalgiris was coached by Željko Sopić, a former Dinamo manager. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Dinamo Zagreb defeated Kauno Žalgiris 5-0 in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League at Maksimir. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The second leg will be played in Lithuania a week after the first match. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Kauno Žalgiris signed former Hajduk player Anthony Kalik before the match. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Approximately 12 000 spectators attended the match at Maksimir. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Dinamo Zagreb coach Mario Kovačević commented on the performance after the match. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Kauno Žalgiris coach Željko Sopić said Dinamo is a Champions League team while Kauno aims for the Conference League. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The goals were scored by Miha Zajc (31'), Scott McKenna (34'), Mateo Lisica (51'), Luka Stojković (76') and Lukas Kačavenda (90+4'). (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: UEFA draw mix-up puts Kauno Zalgiris in Conference League play‑off

UEFA mistakenly listed Kauno Zalgiris instead of Zalgiris Vilnius in the Conference League draw; meanwhile, Universitatea Craiova readies for a Europa League tie with KuPS after a 4‑0 domestic win.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uefa-draw-mix-up-puts-kauno-zalgiris-in-conference-league-playoff

### 2026-08-02: Dinamo Zagreb 5-0 Win Over Kauno Žalgiris Secures Champions League Playoff

Dinamo Zagreb thrashed Kauno Žalgiris 5‑0 in the Champions League third‑qualifying‑round first leg, with goals from Zajc, McKenna, Lisica, Stojković and Kačavenda, securing a near‑certain playoff spot.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/knin-prepares-for-31st-operation-oluja-anniversary-amid-heatrelated-protocol-tweaks

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Cite as: Kauno Zalgiris UEFA draw error and 5‑0 loss. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kauno-zalgiris-uefa-competition-mixup