Plzeň crushes ten-man Crvena Zvezda in Europa League playoff

FC Viktoria Plzeň made a lightning start at home, with P. K. Adu firing them ahead after just eight minutes. FK Crvena Zvezda responded quickly through M. Ivanić three minutes later to level the match, but Plzeň soon took control.

The turning point arrived in the 54th minute when O. Bukari was sent off for the visitors, leaving Crvena Zvezda to defend with ten men for the remainder of the contest. That numerical disadvantage proved overwhelming as Plzeň methodically built their advantage. D. Višinský converted a penalty in the 58th minute, then P. Hrošovský added a third six minutes later to make it 3-1.

C. Kabongo scored from another penalty in the 90th minute to extend Plzeň's lead to 4-1, sending the match into extra time. The hosts showed no signs of fatigue, and D. Krčík sealed a dominant victory with a fifth goal in the 96th minute, establishing a final score of FC Viktoria Plzeň 5-1 FK Crvena Zvezda and confirming Plzeň's progression from the playoff round.