Win in Belgium not enough for Copenhagen
FC Copenhagen ended their Champions League group campaign with a 2-0 win at Club Brugge - but it was not enough to see the Lions into the last-16.
An own goal and Mathias Zanka’s header in the first half secured FCK’s third win in Europe this season but Porto’s 5-0 triumph over Leicester means the Portuguese side go through as second place finishers in Group G.
Andrija Pavlovic and Thomas Delaney both squandered openings in a game of few chances, with Brugge already condemned to last in the group.
But the win nevertheless secures Copenhagen a seeding place in Monday’s last-32 draw of the Europa League.
Benjamin Verbic was a late withdrawal for FCK due to a groin injury, so Pavlovic partnered Andreas Cornelius up front.
Brugge, with half an eye on the weekend’s domestic game with Anderlecht, made eight changes from the XI that started against FCK in Telia Parken earlier this season.
FCK knew they had to win tonight to stand any chance of progressing to the last-16 but it was Brugge - already eliminated - who had the best early chances as both Ricardo van Rhijn and Boli Bolingoli went close.
And so it was a surprise when the Lions took the lead on nine minutes when Delaney flicked a Ludwig Augustinsson free-kick off defender Brugge Brandon Mechele and into the net.
Augustinsson was again at hand as FCK went two up within 16 minutes. The left-back whipped in another near-post ball - this time from a corner - and Zanka nodded home.
Unfortunately for Copenhagen, just before the half-hour mark news came through that Porto were two up against Leicester.
The score in Portugal would not deter the Lions from seeking to increase their advantage and both Delaney and Pavlovic saw chances go begging before the break.
By half time Porto were three up on Leicester, rendering this game a dead rubber. And it showed after the break as both sides played frustratingly disjointed football - Brugge’s Wesley the only man to get a shot away before 65 minutes.
Indeed, it was Wesley again who forced the best save out of Robin Olsen when he drove a low effort towards goal, with a Delaney header the final effort of a game that swiftly petered out after the early strikes.
CLUB BRUGGE: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 2
Club Brugge: Butelle, Cool, Denswil, Mechele, Van Rhijn, Bolingoli, Claudemir, Pina, Felipe Gedoz, Wesley, Refaelov.
FC Copenhagen: Olsen, Augustinsson, Johansson, Zanka, Ankersen, Toutouh, Delaney, Kvist, Falk, Cornelius, Pavlovic.
Goals: Mechele o.g. (8’), Zanka (15’).
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG).
