Kairat Almaty secured one of their most impressive European results on November 5, holding Italian side Atalanta to a 1-1 draw in Bergamo in the UEFA Conference League.
The Kazakh visitors came close to a famous victory after taking the lead early in the second half. Atalanta, winners of the Europa League in 2024, needed a late equalizer to avoid defeat on home soil.
Founded in 1907, Atalanta have risen from a provincial Italian club to become a European force, defeating Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen on their way to winning the 2024 Europa League.
Spanish forward Marc Gual put Kairat ahead in the 53rd minute, finishing an attack created by Brazilian teammate Edmilson. The goal stunned the hosts, who had entered the match as overwhelming favorites.
Atalanta pressed for an equalizer, but goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov produced several important saves. The 22-year-old had already denied Jonathan Rowe during the first half and continued to frustrate the Italian side after the interval.
Kairat held their advantage until the 82nd minute, when substitute Nikola Krstović scored from a crowded penalty area. The match ended level, giving the visitors a valuable point against considerably wealthier opposition.
The result was particularly welcome after Kairat’s difficult start to this season’s European campaign. They drew 1-1 away to Latvia’s Riga before suffering a 5-1 home defeat against Greek side Panathinaikos.
It also came during a period of upheaval at the club. Rafael Urazbakhtin resigned as head coach on October 26 after Kairat failed to retain their domestic title. Interim manager Zhora Arutyunyan, previously in charge of the club’s reserve team, took over.
Kairat finished second in Kazakhstan’s 2026 Premier League, three points behind champions Ordabasy Shymkent. They had previously won consecutive national titles in 2024 and 2025.
From Soviet Football to the Champions League
Founded in 1954, Kairat have a distinctive place in Kazakhstan’s sporting history. They were the country’s only representatives in the Soviet top flight, regularly facing some of the Soviet Union’s strongest clubs. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union brought years of uncertainty. Kairat struggled during parts of the independence era and even split into rival clubs.
Their modern revival began under businessman Kairat Boranbaev, who took over the club’s presidency in 2012. He invested heavily in training facilities and youth development rather than relying exclusively on imported players.
Speaking to The Times of Central Asia in September 2025, Boranbaev described the transformation as the result of more than a decade of planning. The club established a network of academies across Almaty, creating opportunities for local children to progress into professional football.
One of its most successful graduates is Dastan Satpayev, who joined Chelsea in August 2026 after establishing himself as one of Kazakhstan’s most promising young players. He is spending this season on loan at Burnley.
Kairat’s biggest breakthrough came in August 2025, when they defeated Celtic in a Champions League qualifying playoff. After two goalless matches, the contest went to penalties. Anarbekov saved three spot kicks as Kairat won the shootout 3-2, becoming only the second Kazakh club to reach the Champions League’s main competition.
The achievement brought European football’s biggest names to Almaty, including Real Madrid. Kairat also traveled to London to face Arsenal and played against Inter Milan.
Results exposed the gap between Kazakhstan’s domestic league and Europe’s elite. Kairat collected just one point from eight Champions League matches, finishing bottom of the 36-team standings.
Yet the experience strengthened the club’s international profile. Boranbaev told TCA in January that European success required sustained investment.
“European success isn’t a one-season undertaking,” he said.
Thursday’s draw in Bergamo offered evidence of progress, even if Kairat were denied victory in the closing stages. They now have two points from three Conference League matches. Their next European fixture is at home to Swedish champions Mjällby on November 26.
