Late goal puts Hannover through

Szabolcs Huszti's stoppage-time penalty gave Hannover 96 a narrow win over Helsingborgs IF, a result that sends the hosts into the UEFA Europa League round of 32.
 
Two goals from Mame Diouf had put the Bundesliga side into a commanding position, but Nikola Djurdić and Alejandro Bedoya restored parity for Helsingborg. A draw looked the likely outcome until Huszti's strike from 12 metres, which leaves the Swedish team on the brink of elimination.

Hannover started brightly, with Huszti and Diouf, who had impressed in the first meeting between the sides, prominent. That pair combined for the opener, a cross from the former allowing Diouf to nod home after just three minutes. Diouf and Lars Stindl directed free headers over the bar from further Huszti deliveries, but Mirko Slomka's men were rewarded for their dominance when Diouf powered home a second soon after the interval.

Helsingborg reacted well, though, Djurdić pulling one back with the third headed goal of the night after Mattias Lindström's pinpoint cross. Nerves began to creep in for the home team and the visitors took full advantage, drawing level through Bedoya, who hooked a shot past Ron-Robert Zieler.

With time running out, Hannover substitute Artur Sobiech was brought down by Peter Larsson, who was subsequently dismissed along with Walid Atta. Pär Hansson got a hand to Huszti's spot kick, yet could not stop it crossing the line, meaning Helsingborg face an uphill task to progress.