Verbic leads Lions to Europa win

Benjamin Verbic scored just three minutes into his FC Copenhagen debut as the Lions beat Welsh side Newtown AFC in the Europa League.

Verbic headed home Peter Ankersen’s cross to fire Copenhagen in front in the first leg of this second qualifying round clash.

And Kasper Kusk, who joined FCK from Twente this summer, drilled low into the net from distance after the break to double FCK’s lead.

Nicolai Jørgensen twice went close to bagging a goal himself, while Verbic missed from 10 yards at the end of the first half.

Captain Thomas Delaney saw a header parried away early after the break and Marvin Pourie also had a chance blocked by inspired goalkeeper Dave Jones.

The result means FCK carry a two-goal advantage into the reverse tie in Wales next Thursday, with the winner set to face Czech side FK Jablonec in the third round.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 NEWTOWN AFC: 0

FC Copenhagen: Anderson, Augustinsson, Nilsson, Amartey, Ankersen, Verbic, Delaney, Toutouh, Kusk, Pourie, Jørgensen.

Newtown: Jones, Williams, Sutton, Mills-Evans, Edwards, Hearsey, Goodwin, Owen, Boundford, Oswell, Mitchell.

Goals: Verbic (3’), Kusk (75’).

Referee: Mete Kalkavan.