Magic Mendoza makes the difference

Club Brugge KV 3-1 FC Dinamo Bucuresti
Club Brugge KV overcame the challenge of Romanian champions FC Dinamo Bucuresti tonight. However the visitors scored a potentially crucial away goal to keep alive their hopes of advancing to a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round meeting with FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Problems for Brugge
The first half was very attacking with many opportunities for both sides. During the first 25 minutes Brugge made numerous mistakes as Dinamo passed the ball around confidently. Indeed, Dinamo had two good chances to open the scoring, both after Brugge made bad errors in defence. However, against the run of play, it was the Belgians who took the lead on 25 minutes when José Duarte crossed from the right for Rune Lange to score.

Spectacular saves
Newly confident, Brugge swarmed forward in search of more goals with Romanian goalkeeper Cristian Munteanu making three spectacular saves to deny the hosts. However one minute before the end of the half Brugge made another mistake in defence gifting the ball to Dan Alexa who shot from 20 metres to equalise.

Joy shortlived
However the Romanians' joy was shortlived as, within 60 seconds, an Andrés Mendoza header from Gaëtan Englebert's cross restored Brugge's lead. The Belgians dominated the second half, although they were, yet again, consistently denied by the defiant Munteanu.

Mendoza strikes
Five minutes before the end of the match however Brugge finally scored a crucial third goal as Mendoza struck with a wonderful free-kick after Alexa had been sent off for a second bookable offence.

Mixed feelings
After the game Brugge coach Trond Sollied admitted he had mixed feelings. "I am very happy about the way my team has performed today but I am disappointed by the result," he said. "We had many opportunities and we should have settled our qualification tonight. Next week in Bucharest the game will be very difficult but I am convinced that if we show the same quality we did tonight we will win."

Dinu hopeful
Meanwhile Dinamo coach Cornel Dinu was still hopeful that his side can progress. "The goal we scored tonight is of course very important," he said. "It leaves us with every chance to qualify. I have to admit that Brugge were the best team tonight, they have shown their experience in European football. I know it will be very difficult."