Champions League qualifying wrap: Dinamo, Benfica take control

Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb came from behind to beat Finnish side HJK 2-1 in their opening third-round Champions League qualifying leg.

HJK took the lead at Sonera Stadium on 14 minutes through midfielder Alexander Ring, but the hosts’ advantage was cancelled out by an own goal from Brazilian midfielder Rafinha five minutes later.

The deadlock ensued until midway through the second half, when another Brazilian –midfielder Sammir – scored to put Dinamo in control of the tie ahead of their second leg in Zagreb.

Benfica took the upper hand in their tie with Turkish side Trabzonspor after a 2-0 victory in Portugal.

Spanish substitute Nolito and Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan were the goalscorers for the victors.

Copenhagen took the spoils after a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in Denmark came courtesy of Solvi Ottesen’s fourth-minute goal.

Maccabi Haifa fought off Slovenian outfit Maribor 2-1, with Nigerian midfielder Dele Yampolsky providing the winner for the Israeli champions.

Czech side Viktoria Plzen recorded a valuable 1-0 away victory over Norway’s Rosenborg, the win coming via the goal of new signing Vaclav Pilar.

Danish club Odense BK scored a 90th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 at home with Greek side Panathinaikos.

Standard Liege and Zurich traded late goals to draw 1-1 in their first-leg clash in Belgium.