Czech football team Sparta Prague and Romanian team Steaua Bucharest have ended the match counting for the third qualifying round of the Champions League in a draw: 1-1.
Nicolae Stanciu’s free-kick with 15 minutes from time secured Steaua a draw in the Czech capital Tuesday evening. The Romania midfielder earned the set piece himself with a run that was halted by Martin Frýdek just outside the box. It cancelled out a header by Sparta forward Josef Šural (35), who directed Bořek Dočkal’s corner inside goalkeeper Florin Niță’s near post.
The draw is an important step in view of the return match in Bucharest on August 3 on National Arena.
Teams:
Sparta: 35. David Bicik, 25. Mario Holek, 5. Jakub Brabec, 3. Michal Kadlec — 28. Ondrej Zahustel (26. Costa, 80th min.), 9. Borek Dockal, 14. Martin Frydek, 17. Ales Cermak (8. Marek Matejovsky, 63rd min.), 18. Tiémoko Konaté , 23. Josef Sural (7. Kehinde Fatai, 59th min.), 21. David Lafata (captain). Coach: Zdenek Scasny.
Steaua: 1. Florin Niță — 44. Gabriel Enache, 4. Gabriel Tamaș, 13. Alin Toșca, 15. Marko Momcilovic — 6. Mihai Pintilii (captain), 20. Vlad Achim (24. Dan Popescu, 89th min.) — 10. Nicolae Stanciu, 14. Bojan Golubovic, 19. Adnan Aganovic (11. Muniru Sulley, 62nd min.) — 9. Alexandru Tudorie (77. Adrian Popa, 55th min.). Coach: Laurențiu Reghecampf.
Referee: Daniel Siebert; Assistant referees: Jan Seidel, Marco Achmulle (Germany).