Plzen score four after half-time to defeat FK Crvena Zvezda 5-1

Plzen turn 1-1 interval into a 5-1 extra-time victory

Plzen defeated FK Crvena Zvezda 5-1 after extra time in the UEFA Europa League play-offs at Stadion Mesta Plzne on Thursday, August 27. The match was level at 1-1 at half-time, but Plzen took control after the interval and finished with four unanswered goals. The result gave Plzen the win, while FK Crvena Zvezda ended the match with 10 players.

Plzen made the faster start and opened the scoring in the eighth minute. P. Adu finished a move assisted by C. Souare, giving the home side an early advantage. FK Crvena Zvezda responded only three minutes later, with M. Ivanic scoring to restore parity. The visitors held Plzen to a 1-1 scoreline through half-time, despite the hosts having established the first attacking momentum.

Plzen seize control after the break

The second half brought a series of decisive moments. P. Adu missed a penalty in the 51st minute, but Plzen did not allow that opportunity to derail their pressure. Two minutes later, F. Tebo Uchenna was booked and O. Bukari was sent off, leaving FK Crvena Zvezda a player short.

Plzen capitalised quickly. D. Visinsky converted a penalty in the 58th minute to put the hosts back in front, and P. Hrosovsky extended the advantage five minutes later with a normal goal assisted by L. Cerv. The home side then made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute, replacing D. Visinsky, P. Adu and K. Spacil with C. Kabongo, T. Ladra and M. Vydra respectively.

The visitors also changed their attack during the second half, with M. Ivanic, M. Arnautovic and T. Elsnik making way for M. Bajo, J. Enem and Rodrigo. However, FK Crvena Zvezda could not reduce the deficit. C. Kabongo scored Plzen’s fourth from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, sending the match into extra time, and then assisted D. Krcik for the fifth goal in the 96th minute.

Discipline and form

The disciplinary problems continued late on, with J. Enem and Rodrigo booked in the 90th minute. T. Ladra, D. Luckassen, R. Krunic and V. Kostov also received yellow cards during extra time. Adu stood out for opening the scoring, while Kabongo made a direct impact after entering the match with a goal and an assist.

Plzen’s victory reverses their most recent pre-match loss, while FK Crvena Zvezda followed a most recent win with a heavy defeat. No standings data is available for either team, so the precise impact on their league positions cannot be established from the supplied information.