Lazio hopes in balance after draw with Dinamo

BERLIN: Nine-man Lazio had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Dinamo Bucharest on Tuesday, leaving its hope of a return to the group phase of the Champions League in the balance.

Valencia made all but certain its ticket to the main event with a 3-0 win against Swedish champions Elfsborg but otherwise the home favorite had to work hard in the third qualifying round.

Benfica snatched a 2-1 win against FC Copenhagen in Lisbon when Rui Costa scored his second of the night four minutes from time.

Rangers left it even later to grab a 1-0 victory at home to former European champions Red Star Belgrade, with Nacho Novo pouncing on a loose ball to supply the winner in the last minute.

The other 12 first leg matches in the third and final qualifying round are being played on Wednesday. The second legs are set for August 28 and 29.

The match between Lazio and Dinamo Bucharest was marred by clashes between fans before kickoff. Two Dinamo fans were stabbed and three more injured, the ANSA news agency reported.

Lazio, trying to get back into the group stage for the first time since 2003-04, fell behind to a 22nd minute header from Ionel Danciulescu.

Missed penalty

Tommaso Rocchi missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 38th minute but Lazio got a deserved equaliser when Massimo Mutarelli headed home a Lorenzo De Silvestri cross early in the second half.

Lazio finished the game with nine men after Valon Behrami was sent off for a dangerous two-footed challenge and Mutarelli received a second yellow card. Dinamo's Lucian Goian got a red card for a second booking in added time.

Benfica, twice former European Cup winners, were heading for a similarly disappointing result at home to Copenhagen before Costa's late second goal.

Costa had given his side the lead with a 25m shot midway through the first half only for Atiba Hutchinson to equalise 11 minutes later.

Four minutes from the end Costa delighted the 56,000 supporters at Luz stadium with another shot from outside the area to give Benfica victory from a match that saw American teenager Freddy Adu make his debut as a first-half substitute.

Valencia took an early lead in a much easier game against Elfsborg with a close-range shot from Vicente.

The Champions League runners-up in 2000 and 2001 gave themselves breathing space in the 59th minute when Joaquin swept a fine curling cross in from the right and David Silva got between two defenders to nod home.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/16/2007 page23)