Classy Konoplyanka helps Dnipro punish Paços

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk struck twice in three minutes late on to defeat a valiant FC Paços de Ferreira side 2-0 in UEFA Europa League Group E.

Paços Ferreira dominated and made Dnipro goalkeeper Denys Boyko work on a number of occasions, but squandered chances cost them dear by the final whistle. Well-worked goals from captain Ruslan Rotan and Yevhen Konoplyanka toppled the home side and kept Juande Ramos' outfit in touch of leaders ACF Fiorentina.

A sparkling Konoplyanka led a lively Dnipro early on. The tricky winger almost opened the scoring inside five minutes, but António Filipe was alert to tip his unintentionally goalbound cross over. The Paços Ferreira goalkeeper was less convincing 15 minutes later, however, skewing a back pass with his standing foot as he attempted a clearance. Nikola Kalinić stole in but blazed too high as the keeper lunged his way.

Kalinić was guilty of spurning another chance before the break, curling straight into Filipe's midriff after elegantly spinning his marker, Ricardo. From the restart, though, Dnipro were on the back foot. Sérgio Oliveira tested Boyko from distance and Rui Miguel sent a free header over the top as Paços Ferreira seized control.

Boyko was at full stretch later to paw away Rúben Ribeiro's skidding drive, and the custodian was soon scrambling to that side again to bundle away Bébé's dipping shot. Out of the blue, however, Dnipro went ahead. A short corner routine baffled the defence, and Konoplyanka pulled back for the onrushing Rotan to crash beyond Filipe.

Paços Ferreira piled forwards and a ragged defence was caught out by Konoplyanka. Bursting past two men down the left flank, the 24-year-old cut into the box and smartly poked the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.