FCK beat Sparta Prague on penalties

F.C. Copenhagen progressed to the playoff round of this season's UEFA Champions League following a dramatic penalty shootout at the end of a gripping contest with Sparta Prague in Czech on Tuesday night.

Roony Bardghji scored the decisive spot kick with a delightful Panenka to steer the Lions into the playoff round, where we will meet Polish champions Raków Częstochowa later this month.

"It's not often that I use the word proud, but today I'm both happy and proud," said FCK head coach Jacob Neestrup.

"The mentality of the boys was on show again today. That is the most important reason why we now have a chance to play for our ultimate goal, which is to get into the Champions League group stage."

The game finished 3-3 after extra time following a remarkable 120 minutes of football. The first leg in Parken finished 0-0 but FCK took the lead just 16 seconds into the reverse fixture thanks to Jordan Larsson. Prague hit back through Veljko Birmancevic with 10 minutes remaining, and then took a 2-1 lead in the first half of extra time thanks to Qazim Laci.

However, Viktor Claesson then popped up with a leveller for the Lions, and produced another goal to make it 3-3 in the 112th minute after Prague had again gone in front from Victor Olatunji.

Kevin Diks, Claesson and Nicolai Boilesen all scored their spot kicks in the shoot-out, while Ladislav Krejčí hit the woodwork and Kamil Grabara saved Asger Sørensen's effort. That gave Roony the chance to win it for the Lions, and he duly dinked his effort straight down the middle.

"First of all, you have to look at this over two games where we were the best in Parken and they were the best here," said Neestrup, reflecting on the two ties.

"I think we started the game better, not only because of the goal but because we settled into the game well, although we could also have been more direct in some situations.

"They finished the first half the best, and then we also came out and played better than them in the first 10 minutes after the break, but then we were pushed back.

"We responded well to all three of their goals and kept coming back with the ball at our feet, both at 1-1, 2-1 and 3-2. That's the main reason we came out victorious."

On the penalties, Neestrup added: "I had a good feeling and the players who were supposed to take a shot had declared themselves ready in good time, and I guess no one doubts that we have a class keeper. Kamil said before that so long as we scored a few, then we'd probably win.

"Roony has said for a long time that he wanted to take the penalty, but Diogo Gonçalves is scoring them all at the moment, so now he had an opportunity. He was brave to do what he did and it worked."

Ticket details for the Champions League playoff clash with Raków Częstochowa will be released shortly.