World Cup star Lopes returns to Champions League action captaining Shamrock Rovers to win

DUBLIN: (Jul 15)  World Cup star Roberto Pico’ Lopes returned to action in the Champions League on Tuesday and captained Shamrock Rovers into the second qualifying round.

Just 11 days after facing Lionel Messi and Argentina in an epic World Cup round-of-32 game, Cape Verde defender Lopes led the Dublin club to a 5-1 second-leg win over Maltese champion Floriana.

Rovers advanced 5-3 on aggregate score and will now travel to face Ararat-Armenia next week. Rovers must advance through four qualifying rounds to enter the lucrative 36-team main phase starting in September.