体坛英语新闻：Spartak Trnava ousted from Europa League qualifiers

BRATISLAVA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Slovak side Spatak Trnava beat Bulgaria's Lokomotiv Plovdiv 3-1 here on Thursday but failed to reach the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round for conceding a goal at home.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv beat Spatak Trnava 2-0 at home in their first-leg duel last week.

Trnava, Slovakia's champions from the 2017/18 season, had to score at least twice to keep their hopes alive and Filip Dangubic put the home team on the right track, scoring in the 16th minute from inside the box.

A red card for Trnava's defender Timotej Zahumensky complicated things but Trnava managed to score two more goals. Bogdan Mitrea capitalized on a penalty and Rafael Tavares Dos Santos directed Lucas Lovat's set-piece into the net from close range.

The 3-0 score would push Trnava to the third qualifying round, but Plovdiv's Alen Ozbolt crushed the home fans' hopes by scoring in the 74th minute.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria's Cup winners, will challenge Racing Strasbourg of France next for a chance to play in the play-offs of the Europa League Qualifiers, bringing the winner one step closer to the coveted Group Stage.