Perfect Dinamo secure progress against Estoril
Thursday, November 6, 2014
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FC Dinamo Moskva 1-0 Estorial Praia
A second-half strike from substitute Kevin Kuranyi secured a spot in the last 32 for the hosts, who posted their fourth successive victory in Group E.
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• Dinamo Moskva qualify for last 32 with fourth victory in Group E
• The Russian side stretch their unbeaten run in Europe to nine games
• Kevin Kuranyi's 77th-minute strike seals the points
• Estoril without a win in five European away fixtures
• Next games: Dinamo Moskva v Panathinaikos, Estoril v PSV (27 November)
FC Dinamo Moskva qualified for the UEFA Europa League knockout phase and recorded a fourth success in four Group E outings with a 1-0 victory against Estoril Praia.
Kevin Kuranyi was the hero in Moscow, needing just three minutes to break the deadlock after coming off the bench. The German striker was in the right place to turn in William Vainqueur's cross from close range, and his side held firm thereafter, with Ricardo Vaz thwarted by Dinamo goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov in added time.
The hosts, unbeaten in eight European matches, started strongly at Arena Khimki, threatening immediately through Vainqueur. The French midfielder attempted to beat Estoril custodian Paweł Kieszek at his near post, only to send his fourth-minute effort into the side netting. Four minutes later, Dinamo tested Kieszek with their first shot on target. Aleksei Ionov's curling left-footed effort was palmed away by the Polish keeper, and Aleksandr Kokorin squandered the follow-up.
Estoril, without a victory in four European away fixtures prior to kick-off, almost broke the deadlock on two occasions. Tozé forced a good save from Gabulov with a strike that bobbled in front of the Dinamo goalkeeper and Kléber then produced the stand-out moment of the first half. The Estoril No13 let fly with a left-footed strike inside the area, but the Brazilian forward's effort was tipped over by the man between the posts.
Kieszek sprinted off his line to deny Ionov as the second half unfolded, and shortly afterwards Tozé went close at the other end, his looping effort almost finding the top corner. However, substitute Kuranyi registered in Europe for the first time this season with 13 minutes remaining. Gabulov was called into action by Vaz late on, but the goalkeeper came out on top as Dinamo qualified with their 100% UEFA Europa League Group F record still intact.