Verbic wonder goal gives Lions Europa advantage

Benjamin Verbic’s super strike earned FC Copenhagen a 1-0 Europa League result over Jablonec in their third qualifying round first leg.

Verbic cut inside from the left midway through the second half before unleashing a rocket into the top right corner of the net.

Nicolai Jørgensen had the best of the Lions’ other efforts as the away side defended doggedly on a rain-affected day in the Czech Republic.

A string of Stephan Andersen saves prevented Jablonec scoring at the other end, with Jan Gregus and Nermin Crnkic both denied by the stopper.

And a red card with 21 minutes to play for Stanislav Tecl’s lunge on Ludwig Augustinsson meant FCK saw out the game with ease against 10 men.

The reverse leg takes place in Telia Parken next Thursday, 6 August at 19:45 Danish time.

The winners of the round go into the draw for the Europa League playoff qualification stage.

JABLONEC: 0   FC COPENHAGEN: 1

Jablonec: Hruby, Hubschman, Pernica, Novak, Crnkic, Wagner, Karavaev, Benes, Gregus, Pospisil, Masopust.

FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Augustinsson, Zanka, Antonsson, Ankersen, Toutouh, Delaney, Amartey, Verbic, Jørgensen, Santander.

Goal: Verbic (51’).

Red Card: Tecl, Jablonec (69’).

Referee: Mattias Gestranius (FIN).