Sparta Prague made a triumphant return to the Champions League yesterday, securing a 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg in their first game in Europe’s top club competition in 19 years.
The team took an early lead, setting the tone for the match at the epet Arena, as home fans celebrated their first win in the tournament since 2003.
The hosts opened the scoring just two minutes in when Kaan Kairinen pounced on a loose ball after a great save by Salzburg’s keeper Janis Blaswich to effortlessly slot home the rebound.
Nigeria’s Victor Olantuji doubled the lead in the 42nd minute, firing in from a tight angle after a long ball from captain Filip Panak, before assisting Qazim Laci to make it 3-0 with a coolly struck finish after a blunder by the Austrian side’s defence in the 58th.