Canny Anderlecht reign in Zagreb

RSC Anderlecht scored two late goals amid torrential rain to earn three points away to NK Dinamo Zagreb spirits in their opening UEFA Europa League Group A contest.

Chances count
Honduran left-back Victor Bernárdez took a long run-up before trundling a low free-kick under the Dinamo defensive wall and inside Tomislav Butina's right-hand post with 74 minutes played as Ariël Jacobs' side made one of their few chances count. Substitute Jonathan Legear  then drilled in a second as Dinamo redoubled their efforts with the heavens opening in Zagreb.

Dinamo efforts
Anderlecht were happy to pack their area in the first half, with Dinamo's attempts to pick their way through the Belgian side's rearguard rarely gaining much purchase. Ivica Vrdoljak pinged a low shot straight at Silvio Proto after nine minutes, and Mario Mandžukić miscued over the bar from near the penalty spot after 34 minutes.

Dipping effort
The visitors showed a fraction more aggression after the break, with Cheikhou Kouyaté heading wide from Bernárdez's cross, before Etto had the crowd momentarily on their feet as his speculative effort dipped over Proto's crossbar. However, there was a certain sense of inevitability about Bernárdez's free-kick, with Dinamo's frustration showing.

Substitutes combine
Dinamo hurled men forward in search of an equaliser, but were hit again on the break two minutes from the end, with Romelu Lukako making a long run out of defence before squaring for fellow substitute Legear to score. With AFC Ajax drawing 0-0 with FC Timişoara in the section's other game, Anderlecht top Group A. They are at home next to Ajax on 1 October, when Dinamo visit Timişoara.