# Anderlecht takes commanding lead in Europa League play-off > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/omonia-champions-league-qualifying-preparation > Updated: 2026-08-25T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 8. Kairat Almaty’s Champions League journey ended following losses to Levski Sofia, leading them to the Europa League play-off round. They were scheduled to host Anderlecht at Almaty Central Stadium for the first leg of the play-off, with the winner securing a place in the Europa League league phase. Ahead of the scheduled August 20, 2026, fixture, Anderlecht coach Vitor Bruno noted the difficulty of the match, highlighting Kairat’s strength and the challenging conditions at the Central Stadium, where the pitch was recently affected by a Kanye West concert. In the first leg, RSC Anderlecht secured a commanding away victory against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. The Belgian side dominated the first half, with the scoreline aided by an own goal from Jaakko Oksanen and a long-range strike from Lucas Ambros. Kairat faced further setbacks when Aleksandr Shirobokov received a red card. Despite the long journey and concerns regarding the pitch quality, Anderlecht controlled the match, leaving them with a significant advantage heading into the second leg in Brussels. As the second leg approaches at Lotto Park, Anderlecht holds a substantial lead and is close to securing a place in the league phase. Kairat Almaty faces a difficult task, needing at least three goals to force extra time. Regarding squad news, Anderlecht’s new Moroccan striker, Tawfik Bentayeb, is unlikely to debut due to administrative delays regarding his work contract, which have prevented him from training with the full squad. ## Claims - The second-leg match between Kairat Almaty and Omonia Nicosia is scheduled for 29 July 2026 at 18:00 at Almaty Central Stadium. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Kairat Almaty lost the first leg 1‑0 and is seeking to overturn the deficit to reach the group stage. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Omonia Nicosia won the first leg 1‑0, playing most of the match with ten men. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Omonia lost 1‑0 to Kairat after extra time. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Kairat won the penalty shoot‑out 6‑5. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Betting odds list Omonia Nicosia as a 2/5 favourite and Kairat Almaty as a 7/4 underdog. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Omonia played with ten men after Koukoulli was red‑carded in the 25th minute. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Omonia were reduced to nine men after Kulimbali was red‑carded in the 111th minute. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Edmilson scored Kairat's only goal with a header. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Omonia's elimination ended their chance to reach the Champions League League Phase. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Kairat Almaty will face the winner of the Levski Sofia–Universitatea Craiova tie in the next qualifying round. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kairat Almaty won eight of its last ten matches, with only one loss to Omonia Nicosia. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Anderlecht prepares for Kairat Almaty Europa League qualifier Anderlecht prepares to host Kairat Almaty in a Europa League qualifier with a major first-leg advantage, while new signing Tawfik Bentayeb awaits administrative clearance to debut. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anderlecht-prepares-for-kairat-almaty-europa-league-qualifier ### 2026-08-05: Omonia grapples with injuries ahead of Europa League clash with Lincoln Omonia prepares for its Europa League tie with Lincoln in Gibraltar while coach Henrik Berg deals with five key injuries, especially on the right side of defence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omonia-grapples-with-injuries-ahead-of-europa-league-clash-with-lincoln ### 2026-07-28: Kairat Almaty defeats Omonia Nicosia on penalties to reach Champions League Kairat Almaty beat Omonia Nicosia 1‑0 (Edmilson header) and won the penalty shoot‑out 6‑5 on 29 July 2026, advancing in the Champions League qualifiers; Omonia is eliminated and moves to the Europa League. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kairat-almaty-vs-omonia-nicosia-champions-league-qualifier-second-leg ### 2026-07-26: Kairat Almaty hosts Omonia Nicosia in Champions League second‑leg qualifier Kairat Almaty hosts Omonia Nicosia in the second‑leg Champions League qualifier, needing to overturn a 1‑0 first‑leg deficit after Omonia’s early goal and red card. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kairat-almaty-hosts-omonia-nicosia-in-champions-league-secondleg-qualifier ### 2026-07-22: Omonia Nicosia defeats Kairat Almaty 1‑0 in Champions League qualifier Omonia Nicosia beat Kairat Almaty 1‑0 in the Champions League second‑qualifying round first leg, with Andreou scoring and Kairat reduced to ten men. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omonia-clinches-1-0-victory-over-karata-in-champions-league-qualifier ### 2026-07-19: Omonia gears up for Champions League qualifier against Universitatea Craiova Omonia completes pre‑season and readies for Champions League qualifier, potentially facing Universitatea Craiova, the Romanian club with a notable European history. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omonia-gears-up-for-champions-league-qualifier-against-universitatea-craiova ### 2026-07-14: Omonia gears up for European debut with final preparations and transfer targets Omonia finalizes preparations for its 22 July European match, fielding a friendly, scouting opponents, and targeting several transfer signings ahead of UEFA registration. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omonia-gears-up-for-european-debut-with-final-preparations-and-transfer-targets ### 2026-06-22: Henning Berg prepares Omonia for Champions League qualifiers Coach Henning Berg says Omonia finished last season strong, welcomes new signing Montnor, and urges readiness for the upcoming league start and Champions League qualifiers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/henning-berg-prepares-omonia-for-champions-league-qualifiers --- Cite as: Anderlecht takes commanding lead in Europa League play-off. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/omonia-champions-league-qualifying-preparation