HJK not finished despite Dinamo defeat

NK Dinamo Zagreb came from behind to defeat HJK Helsinki and take the upper hand going into next week's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg.

Buoyed by their record-breaking victory against Bangor City FC in the previous round, HJK started positively and went ahead through Alexander Ring just before the quarter-hour mark. The lead only lasted five minutes, though, Rafinha's own goal putting Dinamo on level terms. With both sides pushing forward in search of a winner, it was the visitors who got it, Sammir's strike proving too good for goalkeeper Ville Wallén.

The hosts made an excellent start, Teemu Pukki and Ring forcing Ivan Kelava into smart saves inside the opening ten minutes. Antti Muurinen's side did not have to wait much longer for the opener as Ring beat Kelava to Dawda Bah's cross.

For all their early dominance, HJK were pegged back when Brazilian defender Rafinha turned Fatos Bećiraj's dangerous cross into his own net. The visitors, now growing in confidence, were unfortunate not to take the lead before the break. Ivan Krstanović's effort was parried as far as Bećiraj but the Montenegro forward failed to convert.

Berat Sadik's header was well saved by Kelava early in the second half before Milan Badelj's deflected shot almost deceived Wallén. The pivotal moment came 13 minutes from time, substitute Ante Rukavina finding Sammir, who unleashed an unstoppable drive past Wallén to give Dinamo the advantage going into the second leg in Zagreb on Wednesday.