Late goal sends Lions out of Europa League

FC Copenhagen saw their hopes of progressing to the Europa League knockout stage dashed on Thursday with a late goal in Helsinki condemning to Lions to a 2-1 defeat.

Macoumba Kandji’s diving header sailed past Stephan Andersen to hand HJK all three Group B points, meaning FCK cannot finish second in the group with one game to spare.

Per Nilsson appeared to have earned Copenhagen a draw with a neat volley in stoppage time to cancel out Gideon Baah’s opener, but with seconds remaining Kandji glanced home Helsinki’s winner.

Andreas Cornelius twice went close for FCK - seeing a shot blocked off the line and a header crashing off the crossbar - while Rurik Gislason was denied from four yards by in-form goalkeeper Antonio Doblas.

Watch match highlights here at FCKTV

The defeat leaves FCK bottom of Group B on four points, with a final home clash with Torino scheduled for 11 December.

HELSINKI: 2 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

HJK: Doblas, Baah, Vayrynen, Heikkinen, Tainio, Moren, Alho, Sorsa, Lod, Zeneli, Kandji.

FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Høgli, Nilsson, Antonsson, Bengtsson, Gislason, Amartey, Delaney, Kacaniklic, De Ridder, Cornelius.

Goals: Baah, HJK (29’), Nilsson (90’), Kandji, HJK (90+3’).

Referee: Tony Chapron (FRA).