Basel qualify for Champions League group stage
Swiss football champions FC Basel have made it through to the lucrative group stage of Uefa's Champions League for the first time since 2003.
On Wednesday they beat Vitória Guimarães 2-1 of Portugal at home in the second leg of their third round qualifying match. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw.
Basel went in front at the St Jakob Park stadium after 11 minutes with a goal from Valentin Stocker. But the Portuguese side levelled four minutes later when João Fajardo scored from the penalty spot.
In the second half, Basel raised their game and began to exert pressure on the visitors. The increased tempo paid dividends when Eren Derdiyok received a pass from Stocker and fired low past Brazilian goalkeeper Nilson.
Guimarães thought they had equalised for a second time through substitute Roberto Calmon Felix three minutes from time – only to see his goal ruled out as being offside.
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