Delaney scores stunner in Lions UCL victory

Thomas Delaney’s wonder goal crowned a memorable evening in Telia Parken as FC Copenhagen beat Club Brugge 4-0 to claim three vital points in the Champions League.

Delaney lashed home a volley from 35 yards midway through the second half after a Stefano Denswil own goal had given the Lions the lead and Ludwig Augustinsson had missed a penalty.

Federico Santander made it three when he smashed a Augustinsson corner into the roof of the net five minutes after Delaney’s strike.

And centre-back Mathias Zanka wrapped up the match in stoppage time with a header from another Augustinsson delivery.

Copenhagen went into the clash unbeaten in 18 games this season and buoyed from their 1-1 draw at FC Porto a fortnight ago.

Manager Ståle Solbakken made two changes from the XI that earned a point in Portugal - Rasmus Falk replacing the suspended Jan Gregus on the wing, while Benjamin Verbic came in for Youssef Toutouh on the opposite flank.

Augustinsson was the first to test Brugge goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle when the left-back whipped in a free-kick that was calmly saved.

And soon Copenhagen were in their stride. Andreas Cornelius had a header cleared off the line by Benoit Poulain, while Peter Ankersen’s dipping free-kick was also palmed away.

At the other end Robin Olsen was there to meet former FCK midfielder Claudemir’s header on a rare foray forward for the visitors.

But the game didn’t really open up until the second half, when Copenhagen’s persistence from the wings finally paid off.

Ankersen was the architect of the opener, working his way into a crossing position on the right before firing in a low ball that Denswil failed to deal with - the centre-back diverting the ball into the net rather than the stands.

Augustinsson had the chance to double FCK’s lead from the penalty spot after Santander had been kicked in the head diving for a cross, but Butelle matched the Swede’s spot kick.

But just after the hour mark Delaney calmed the nerves in emphatic fashion. The midfielder set himself as Verbic knocked a clearance into his direction and unleashed a left-footed volley that swerved into the top-right corner of the net.

The goal will go down as one of the greatest scored in Telia Parken but FCK fans were given little time to reflect on Delaney’s brilliance as Santander got a deserved goal himself when beating his man to a corner on 69 minutes.

Copenhagen relaxed after the third and were content to see out the game, with Zanka’s header two minutes into stoppage time adding gloss on a memorable evening on Øster Allé.

In the night’s other game in Group G, Leicester City beat Porto 1-0 to remain top of the group.

Copenhagen sit second on four points, two behind Leicester and three ahead of Porto, while Brugge are yet to pick up a point.

FC COPENHAGEN: 4   CLUB BRUGGE: 0

FC Copenhagen: Olsen, Augustinsson, Johansson, Zanka, Ankersen, Verbic, Delaney, Kvist, Falk, Cornelius, Santander.

Club Brugge: Butelle, Van Rhijn, Denswil, De Bock, Simons, Poulain, Claudemir, Vormer, Vossen, Izquierdo, Vanaken.

Goals: Denswil (53’, o.g), Delaney (64’), Santander (69’), Zanka (90’).

Referee: Craig Thomson (SCO).