Beşiktaş book Europa League place despite Kauno Zalgiris defeat
Beşiktaş players pose for a team photo before the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie against Kauno Zalgiris at the Dariaus ir Gireno Stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania, Aug. 27, 2026. (AA Photo)


Beşiktaş advanced to the UEFA Europa League despite suffering a 1-0 away defeat to Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris in the second leg of their playoff tie Thursday.

The Black Eagles progressed 3-1 on aggregate after securing a 3-0 victory in the first leg in Istanbul.

Beşiktaş began brightly, with Salih Özcan forcing goalkeeper Deividas Mikelionis into a save from outside the penalty area in the second minute.

Dusan Vlahovic had an effort blocked in the 11th minute before Kauno Zalgiris threatened through Gabriel Debeljuh and Ivan Fiolic.

Beşiktaş controlled 73% of possession in the first half, while the hosts failed to register a shot on target as the teams went into the break goalless.

Chances built up after the interval, with Vaclav Cerny firing wide from Ilhan Fakili's cross in the 52nd minute.

Mikelionis then denied Vlahovic from close range a minute later following a pass from Kassoum Ouattara.

Kauno Zalgiris broke the deadlock with their first shot on target in the 64th minute.

Renan Oliveira intercepted Beşiktaş center-back Tiago Djalo's attempted backpass before beating goalkeeper Alexander Nubel in a one-on-one situation.

Beşiktaş right-back Aamir Murillo came close to equalizing five minutes later, but Mikelionis turned his effort behind for a corner.

The hosts maintained their lead for the remainder of the match but were unable to overturn the deficit from the first leg.

Beşiktaş will be in Friday's Europa League league-phase draw, while Kauno Zalgiris will continue their campaign in the third-tier UEFA Conference League.