Uzbekistan national team defender Behruz Karimov made his debut in the UEFA Conference League for Swiss club Lugano during the second playoff match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The 19-year-old player came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute on August 27 at Batumi Arena stadium in Georgia, replacing Renato Steffen. The match ended 1-1, allowing Lugano to maintain the advantage gained in the first match, which the Swiss club won 2-1. Thus, Lugano advanced to the group stage with an aggregate score of 3-2.
The first half of the second match was without goals. Then Maccabi Tel Aviv got a chance to take the lead after Lugano defender Mattia Zanotti was sent off for a second yellow card in the 58th minute. Dore Perez converted the penalty in the 69th minute, allowing the home team to take the lead.
Despite Lugano playing with ten men, they equalized 10 minutes later. In the 79th minute, Derek Moncada scored a goal from a pass by Yannis Tsiminiani. Karimov entered the field in the final minutes, replacing Steffen, and his appearance marked his debut in the Conference League.
Lugano will continue its campaign in the tournament's group stage. The opponent for the Swiss club will be determined by a draw. Maccabi Tel Aviv has been excluded from the Conference League.