Metalist make their move with Rapid success

Edmar and Cleiton Xavier were on target in the second half as FC Metalist Kharkiv got the better of SK Rapid Wien in UEFA Europa League Group K.

One of the most entertaining teams in the competition last season, Metalist were heading towards their second goalless draw in as many European games until substitute Edmar headed in on 66 minutes. Cleiton Xavier ended any hope of a comeback 14 minutes later, with Rapid's Guido Burgstaller dismissed in added time for a lunge on Cristian Villagra.

Metalist's start resembled their shirts, bright, as their busy attacking quartet of South Americans pressed for an early opening, Taison forcing a save from Lukas Königshofer inside five minutes.

So impressive in securing Metalist a point on matchday one against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, goalkeeper Olexandr Goryainov then showed his bravery as he dived to smother the rebound after Deni Alar had glanced Steffen Hofmann's free-kick against the upright.

In an open contest, chances came and went for both teams before the break. After the vigilant Marco Torsiglieri had prevented Burgstaller applying the finishing touch to Alar's cross and Mario Sonnleitner headed the ensuing corner wide, Königshofer beat out José Ernesto Sosa's attempt at the other end. Sosa delivered the resulting corner from which Cleiton Xavier nodded off-target.

The Austrian Bundesliga leaders – beaten 2-1 by Rosenborg BK a fortnight ago – came out for the second period keen to make a swift impact, and Alar tested Goryainov after being fed by Hofmann. Myron Markevich's side responded through Sosa, who skewed a shot over the angle of post and bar, a miss for which he would soon atone.

Standing on the Metalist right, the Argentinian delivered a free-kick into the heart of the penalty area which the unmarked Edmar steered beyond Königshofer. The points were then sealed with a goal made in Brazil, Cleiton Xavier finishing off a slick move after substitute Willian had done well to hook Taison's ball back across the box.