Shelbourne Edge Linfield in Champions League Return

Shelbourne secured a 1-0 win over Linfield in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round at Tolka Park, with Mipo Odubeko scoring in the second half from a Sean Boyd assist. The League of Ireland champions dominated play, with Evan Caffrey hitting the crossbar and Chris Johns making key saves for Linfield. VAR overturned a Shelbourne penalty, and Linfield, missing key playmaker Joel Cooper, struggled to create attacking chances but defended well to keep the deficit at one. The win marks Shelbourne's return to Champions League football after 20 years and extends their unbeaten European home record to 11 games. Both clubs are competing for a minimum €1.76 million prize and the opportunity to advance further in European competition. The tie remains open ahead of the second leg in Belfast next week.