Dinamo late show accounts for NEC

NK Dinamo Zagreb scored twice in the final nine minutes to defeat Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen in Group D.

Late drama
NEC had forged ahead on 78 minutes through Tim Janssen, having gone into the break at the Maksimir level after Carlos's own goal had cancelled out Marijo Mandžukić's third-minute opener for the Croatian side. However, half-time substitute Boško Balaban latched on to an Ivica Vrdoljak pass to equalise with nine minutes remaining, and Vrdoljak himself completed a remarkable turnaround three minutes later, heading in Mihael Mikić's corner.

Own goal
Mandžukić gave Dinamo the best possible start with an angled strike which beat goalkeeper Gábor Babos at his near post. Yet NEC refused to be cowed, even if they struggled to marry their possession with meaningful chances before Carlos directed the ball past Ivan Kelava midway through the first period. The hosts could have gone into the break in front had Igor Bišcan made the most of a 44th-minute chance, the former Liverpool FC midfielder heading a Pedro Morales corner wide.

Busy Babos
Dinamo continued to create the better chances after the resumption and Babos was soon called into action to turn Sammir's 47th-minute drive wide for a corner – it was a sign of things to come for the keeper. The NEC No1 twice denied Balaban while Luis Ibáñez and Milan Badelj also failed to break his resolve and Dinamo looked like paying for their profligacy when Janssen edged the visitors in front with a low strike. Balaban and Vrdoljak had other ideas.