ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat Almaty delivered a spirited performance but fell just short in a dramatic 3:2 defeat to Arsenal in their final match of the UEFA Champions League league stage on Jan. 28 in London. The second half saw a far more disciplined display from the visitors, who denied Arsenal space and limited clear chances. A notable moment came when Kairat head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin made several substitutions, resulting in seven Kazakh players on the field at once. Reflecting on the match, Urazbakhtin acknowledged Arsenal’s quality but praised his players’ commitment. For reaching the Champions League group stage, Kairat earned 18.62 million euros (approximately US$22.3 million).