Eintracht Frankfurt’s Champions League campaign suffered a damaging blow despite a landmark night for Farès Chaïbi, whose first goal of the season in the competition was ultimately overshadowed by a dramatic 3–2 defeat to Qarabağ FK.
The Algerian midfielder started Wednesday’s Group Stage encounter and delivered a composed performance in a match that swung repeatedly before being settled in stoppage time.
Chaïbi’s calm penalty in the 78th minute briefly revived Frankfurt’s hopes, drawing them level and underlining his growing influence on the European stage.
However, those hopes were short-lived as the Azerbaijani champions responded almost immediately and then struck again at the death to seal a memorable victory.
The contest began at a high tempo, with Qarabağ taking an early lead that unsettled the German side. Frankfurt responded before the interval, restoring parity and ensuring the match remained finely balanced.
Throughout the opening exchanges, Chaïbi was heavily involved, showing intent and discipline as Frankfurt sought to control possession and find openings against an organised opponent.
As the second half unfolded, Frankfurt pushed forward in search of a decisive breakthrough, but were often frustrated by Qarabağ’s compact shape.
The turning point appeared to arrive late on when Frankfurt were awarded a penalty. Chaïbi stepped up and converted with assurance, registering his first Champions League goal of the campaign and injecting renewed belief into his side.
That momentum, however, quickly evaporated. Qarabağ equalised just two minutes later, punishing a lapse in concentration, before delivering the decisive blow in stoppage time.
The late strike left Frankfurt stunned and facing a far more complicated path in the competition, with the club now stuck on four points heading into the final round of fixtures.
From a collective perspective, the defeat represents a significant setback for Frankfurt, who now find themselves under pressure to salvage their European ambitions.
Yet on an individual level, the evening carried a different significance for Chaïbi. After an inconsistent start to the season, the former Toulouse player finally found tangible reward for his perseverance, delivering when it mattered most.
While the result will dominate post-match analysis, Chaïbi’s contribution offers a rare positive for Frankfurt.
His goal not only restored confidence during the match, but could also serve as a catalyst as he looks to build momentum in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Attention now turns to the final group-stage fixture, where Frankfurt must respond quickly.
For Chaïbi, the challenge will be to carry this personal breakthrough forward, even as the disappointment of a bitter defeat lingers.
🔴 GOOOOOOOOOOAL DE FARES CHAIBI !!!!!!! ⚽️🇪🇺
1ER BUT de Fares Chaibi en Ligue des Champions dans sa carrière 💪🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/FnOg4DOhZh
— 𝘼𝙇𝙂𝙀𝙍𝙄𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙐𝙁𝙊𝙊𝙏 🇩🇿 (@algeriactufoot) January 21, 2026
