Wisła victory ensures dramatic progress

Wisła Kraków's prayers were answered as a 2-1 success against Group K winners FC Twente enabled them to reach the round of 32.

The Polish side's hopes rested on a victory coupled with Fulham FC failing to win at home against Odense BK and that scenario became a possibility when Łukasz Garguła struck after 12 minutes. Luuk de Jong levelled for Twente five minutes before the interval and although Tsvetan Genkov ensured the hosts did everything asked of them, the English side appeared set to progress until they conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser to draw 2-2.

Wisła certainly attacked their uphill task with gusto, making for an inventive and entertaining encounter. Both goalkeepers had already been called into action before Garguła opened the scoring, his swerving shot from the edge of area deceiving Nick Marsman at his near post. Two quick Fulham goals doubtless punctured the home side's optimism and De Jong took advantage by equalising with a sublime overhead kick from ten metres after a right-wing cross from Denny Landzaat.

Marko Jovanović deserved better just before half-time as he rifled wide after a swift exchange of passes with Garguła but Kazimierz Moskal's men maintained their momentum after the break. Genkov restored the hosts' lead within two minutes of the resumption as he controlled a long punt from goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko, shrugged off the challenge of Rasmus Bengtsson and swept his finish past Marsman.

Co Adriaanse's charges were protecting an unbeaten record in the section and they refused to surrender meekly, Ola John's introduction adding to their threat, but a mixture of Pareiko and some resolute defending proved sufficient for Wisła to claim the three points. The final whistle seemed certain to signal the hosts' elimination only for redemption and wild celebrations seconds later courtesy of Djiby Fall's last-gasp leveller at Craven Cottage.