Santin claws København into the Round of 32

Club Brugge KV's dreams of a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 evaporated as Cesar Santin delivered a devastating blow on the break for FC København at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Smash and grab
The Belgian side needed only to avoid defeat to earn a place in Friday's draw, but after dominating the opening period, they fell behind to Cesar Santin's effort just before the hour mark. The Danish club then got bodies behind the ball as they held on to take third place in Group G. They will play a group winner from one of the other sections in the next phase of the competition.

Attacking intent
Club Brugge showed admirable attacking intent right from the start. Ronald Vargas shot narrowly wide in the opening minute of the game, and Karel Geraerts drew a fine save from Jesper Christiansen with an effort five minutes later. However, it was not until the half-hour mark that they came close again, with Wesley Sonck sending a close-range effort over the crossbar.

Danish breakthrough
Christiansen punched clear Nabil Dirar's effort later as København succeeded in frustrating Club Brugge in the first half. The Danes' own attacks had been limited to a speculative shot from Thomas Kristensen and a William Kvist effort that went just wide. However, they showed their cutting edge on 58 minutes, with Cesar Santin shooting high into the net from close range.

On the rack
The home side looked stunned and almost conceded a second as Santin rifled in a shot from the edge of the area which Stijn Stijnen could only parry. Club Brugge regrouped, though, and had the visitors on the rack for the final 20 minutes. Dirar's 71st-minute effort drew another good save from Christiansen, who then held Vargas's header from Ivan Leko's free-kick.