Ararat-Armenia - Sparta Prague: head to head and statistics

Ararat-Armenia - Sparta Prague, 16 Sep 2026

Sparta Prague opened their UEFA Europa League league-phase campaign with a 4-1 away win over FC Ararat-Armenia in Yerevan. The Czech side scored four goals through three different players, with Tobias Guddal accounting for two of them. Sparta were managed by Brian Priske, while Ararat-Armenia were led by Manuel “Tulipa”.

The hosts made a promising start and hit the post inside the opening ten minutes, but Sparta soon took control of the scoreline. In the 20th minute, Tobias Guddal headed home from an Adam Karabec corner to give the visitors the lead. Guddal scored again just two minutes later, once more from a corner situation, increasing Sparta's advantage to 2-0.

Sparta added a third goal eight minutes after half-time. John Mercado finished from a pass by Josimar Alcócer in the 53rd minute. Ararat-Armenia responded almost immediately, with Bruno Wilson scoring two minutes later after a cross from Sandro Lima. The goal reduced the deficit to 3-1 but did not change the overall outcome of the match.

The final goal came in the 71st minute. Matěj Jurásek provided the ball for Patrik Vydra, who headed it into the net to make the score 4-1. Sparta controlled the remaining minutes and prevented Ararat-Armenia from adding another goal. The result gave the Czech side three points in their opening league-phase fixture, with Guddal scoring twice and Mercado and Vydra adding one goal each.