Red Star Belgrade beat Lech Poznan away to get closer to UEFA Champions League playoffs

POZNAN - Serbian football champions Red Star Belgrade defeated Polish side Lech Poznan 3-1 away in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday evening and are now just a step away from the competition's playoffs.

In front of 39,743 spectators - including several hundred Red Star supporters - the Serbian team took the lead in the ninth minute through Rade Krunic following a Cherif Ndiaye assist.

Lech equalised in the 34th minute through captain Mikael Ishak after an assist by Joao Moutinho.

Krunic netted again from close range in the 53rd minute to make it 2-1 as the goal was approved by VAR and Bruno Duarte scored the third goal for Red Star in the 73rd minute following an assist by captain Mirko Ivanic.

The return leg in Belgrade is scheduled for next Tuesday.