With the first match with Birkirkara in Malta a week ago finishing in a 0:0 draw, Slovenia's perennial champions were determined to secure a win early and qualify for the next round.

The first goal came in the 28th minute, with Goran Cvijanović putting home a free kick from 16 metres away.

Maribor continued with the aggressive approach, which paid dividends in the 47th minute, when Mitja Viler scored after a shaking off multiple defenders.

The Slovenian champions will now face Cypriot champions APOEL Nicosia. The overall winner of the two legs, to be played on 31 July and 6 August, will make it to the play-off round.

In the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League season, APOEL made it as far as the quarter-finals, which was the club's greatest success in European competitions ever.