Steaua edge past Strømsgodset

FC Steaua Bucureşti are through to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after a 3-0 aggregrate win against Strømsgodset IF.

The Romanian club went into the game with a one-goal lead from the first leg, leaving their Norwegian counterparts needing to gain a foothold in the tie. Indeed they had the better of much of the match but Steaua showed a clinical instinct in front of goal which would ultimately guarantee their progress. Strikes from Cornel Râpă and Nicolae Stanciu in the final 19 minutes did the damage.

After a first half of few chances it was the visitors who started the second period the brighter, as they twice went close to taking an all-important lead. Steaua goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis produced a superb stop to deny Flamur Kastrati on 47 minutes, before the same player spurned a golden opportunity 11 minutes after to level the tie on aggregrate.

That would come back to haunt the Norwegian outfit as the hosts went ahead on 72 minutes. After earlier missing from close range, Râpă made amends with a tap-in after brilliant approach play from captain Cristian Tănase.

Steaua's progress to the next round was confirmed on 84 minutes when Stanciu was put clear by Alexandru Chipciu and made no mistake inside the area to make it 2-0.

Steaua, who reached the group stage of last year's competition, will face FC Aktobe in the third qualifying round.