Loskov inspires Lokomotiv rally

Quickfire goals
Goals from Martin Retov and Morten Skoubo had given Brøndby a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead which they defended until just after the hour. Undeterred, however, Lokomotiv turned the match on its head with three strikes in five minutes, two by Loskov and the other by Igor Lebedenko.

Knockout phase
With six minutes remaining Loskov completed his treble to ensure the Railwaymen recorded their first win in the group, giving them a chance of advancing to the last 32 should they beat Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC next week.

Opening strike
The Danes were ahead on eleven minutes when Retov found the left corner of the goal with his left foot from a central position 20 metres out. They increased their advantage in the 28th minute as Skoubo turned in Kim Daugaard's free-kick.

Ruopolo effort
Lokomotiv's Francesco Ruopolo blazed wide and then a Loskov set-piece forced visiting goalkeeper Casper Ankergren into a save as the hosts tried to get back into the game. They nearly succeeded on the stroke of half-time but Ankergren held on to a Lebedenko attempt.

Turning point
Brøndby started the second half brightly and almost made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute when Skoubo's right-footed effort was blocked by Dmitri Sennikov. Lokomotiv eventually came to the party and Loskov pulled one back after latching on to Ruopolo's pass before letting fly a right-footed shot from just outside the area.

Exquisite finish
Three minutes later it was 2-2 as Lebedenko fired high into the centre of goal, and with Brøndby reeling, Loskov won a free-kick under pressure from Thomas Rasmussen which he proceeded to convert past Ankergren. Lokomotiv continued to press and were rewarded when Loskov registered the fourth with a left-footed finish from Vadim Evseev's cross.