Valachovič rescues Rapid

Josef Valachovič scored a dramatic late goal to send SK Rapid Wien through to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League at the expense of FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

Close to exit
The Austrian side were just six minutes away from elimination when Valachovič headed Steffen Hoffmann's corner beyond Sergei Ovchinnikov. Until then, Rapid were on course to exit the competition as the dominant Russian outfit retained the advantage courtesy of the away-goals rule, following the 1-1 first-leg draw.

Lokomotiv threat
The result will be a great disappointment for Lokomotiv, who dominated for large swathes of the match and had a number of chances to score. They threatened as early as the eighth minute, when Vladimir Maminov's long-range strike whistled past the upright, but it was Vadim Evseev who had the first clear-cut opportunity.

Ovchinnikov anonymous
The Russian defender ghosted behind the defence and Dmitri Khokhlov's pin-point cross found him free at the back post but in unchartered territory, he hit a weak effort. Khokhlov went close himself two minutes later, before Ovchinnikov was finally tested at the other end just before the half-hour mark, comfortably keeping out Andreas Ivanschitz's hopeful free-kick.

Maminov misfortune
Khokhlov soon restored the home side's dominance, but his midfield guile and inventive build-up work was not matched by a final shot as he was twice guilty of dwelling on possession when well placed either side of half-time. It was all Lokomotiv at this stage and Vladimir Maminov saw a goal-bound shot blocked by team-mate Igor Lebedenko on the hour.

Rapid revival
The chance finally brought Rapid to life and six minutes later substitute Axel Lawarre contrived to shoot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. Needing to score to keep their Champions League campaign alive, Peter Hlinka forced a smart save from Ovchinnikov on 84 minutes and Valachovič scored from the resulting corner to send Rapid through.