Kairat Almaty suffered another defeat in the UEFA Champions League, this time against FC Copenhagen, after engaging in the game too late.
UEFA Champions League 2025-26
Matchday 5, Nov. 26
FC Copenhagen (Denmark) vs. Kairat (Kazakhstan): 3-2 (1-0)
Goals: Viktor Dadason 26’ (1-0), Jordan Larsson 59’ P (2-0), Robert Silva (3-0); Dastan Satpayev 81’ (3-1), Olzhas Baybek 90’ (3-2)
Kairat’s starting lineup saw minimal changes compared to the one fielded at the beginning of the match against Inter Milan at San Siro Stadium. The left back Luis Mata was replaced by Yerkin Tapalov, while in midfield Dan Glazer came on instead of Ofri Arad — who had scored against Inter Milan. Aleksandr Martynovich, who missed the game against the Italian club due to injury, was again absent, leaving Alexandr Shirobokov to anchor the defense.
Apart from the mentioned changes, Temirlan Anarbekov took his place in goal, Alexander Mrynskiy played on the right side of defense, Damir Kassabulat partnered with Glazer in midfield, and Dastan Satpayev supported Edmilson on the left wing.
The battle for the initiative, combined with early scouting, didn’t last long. The hosts, after gaining control of the midfield, launched a consistent siege on the visitors’ goal. The Danish team had their first corner in the 11th minute, and Anarbekov made the first save in the 15th minute.
Kairat created dangerous situations primarily through high crosses. However, the opening goal came from a low attack. In the 26th minute, Peruvian player Marcos Lopez sent the ball forward along the flank, Robert forced his way past the defense, and then laid it off into the center. The imposing Icelander Dadason managed to head it in successfully, giving Copenhagen a 1-0 lead.
After the opening goal, the team coached by Jacob Neestrup continued their attacks. Kairat’s faltering defense forced Anarbekov to make a series of crucial saves. Anarbekov produced a remarkable double save, first parrying a shot from Copenhagen’s captain Viktor Claesson and then blocking Dadason’s follow-up.
Kairat players, who struggled to retain possession, produced only rare half-chances. Satpayev attempted to create something dangerous, but a free kick by the young player lacked accuracy. As a result, Kairat had no shots on target over the first 45 minutes, leaving unclear prospects for the second half. Changes were needed.
When Yerkin Tapalov rattled the crossbar of Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski with a long-range shot in the 52nd minute, it seemed, for a moment, that Rafael Urazbakhtin’s halftime adjustments had paid off. However, Damir Kassabulat, who had been extremely uncertain both before and after the break, soon conceded a careless penalty for handball. Jordan Larsson, son of the famous Henrik Larsson, converted the spot-kick with precision, making it 2-0 to Copenhagen.
Numerous substitutions by both teams failed to change the pattern of the game. The hosts continued attacking, the visitors fought back, but there were no signs of effective counterplay for some time. In the 73rd minute, Robert scored from outside the penalty area with a shot that deflected off Mrynskiy, bringing the score to 3-0.
Satpayev lifted Kairat’s spirits with a goal in the 81st minute, nicking the ball off Dominik Kotarski to make it 3-1. Nine minutes later, Kairat’s substitutions paid off once more: Giorgi Zaria set up Olzhas Baybek, who reduced the deficit to 3-2.
The final whistle by Scottish referee Nicholas Walsh found Kairat attacking. Just seconds before, Kotarski had blocked Yegor Sorokin’s header.
Kairat tuned into the game in Copenhagen too late. Another loss left the team in the second-lowest position in the table. In their next two Champions League matches, the Almaty team will play at Astana Arena in Astana. In the first upcoming match, scheduled for Dec. 9 against Olympiacos, Satpayev will not play due to accumulating too many yellow cards. He had scored his first goal in the main tournament of the League in the Danish capital.
