Allbäck sends København through

Marcus Allbäck scored the decisive goal in extra time as FC København drew 1-1 at Beitar Jerusalem FC to end the Israeli club's challenge with a 2-1 aggregate victory in a tense second qualifying round contest.

Benfica next
The 34-year-old striker struck seven minutes into extra time after Barak Itzhaki (60) had cancelled out Allbäck's only goal from the first leg in the Danish capital last week. Allbäck scored three times in the group stage last season, including one in the two meetings with SL Benfica – the Portuguese giants who now block København's path to a return to the last 32. The Eagles had the better of their two meetings last year, drawing 0-0 away before a 3-1 home victory on Matchday 5.

Grønkjær assist
Beitar endured a frustrating first half in front of a packed Teddy Stadium crowd tonight, dominating possession but creating few chances. That changed following the introduction of Aviram Baruchyan and Toto Tamuz for Milovan Mirosevic and Romulo, with Tamuz soon firing a shot into the side-netting. Itzhaki found the right side of the post on the hour, drilling the ball in after Cristián Álvarez had made the most of Idan Tal's fine pass to create the opening. It was the visitors who laughed last, though, as Jesper Grønkjær got in behind the Beitar defence to tee up Allbäck who gleefully stroked København into the next stage.