published: thursday 7 november 2013, 20.55cet fc dnipro dnipropetrovsk 2-0 fc paços de ferreira
juande ramos' outfit have booked their place in the next round after two fine goals earned them a deserved win – their third group e success.
fc dnipro dnipropetrovsk have guaranteed their place in the uefa europa league round of 32 after a narrow 1-0 success against fc paços de ferreira in group e.
matheus' first-half header and yevhen konplyanka's terrific curler midway through the second helped juande ramos' outfit post a third win of an impressive campaign – their nine-point haul unassailable as section leaders acf fiorentina extended their winning run at cs pandurii târgu jiu.
dnipro dominated from start to finish, with home goalkeeper denys boyko acting as spectator for long periods. he watched his paços counterpart antónio filipe make a number of saves, though, the first a fine parry after bruno gama connected with konoplyanka's well-weighted cut-back.
despite filipe's efforts, dnipro took a deserved 44th-minute lead. the goal – a straightforward header for matheus – owed much to artem fedetskiy's assist. the defender showed remarkable skill to tee-up his team-mate: controlling a pass on his thigh, he flicked the ball over a challenger with his right foot and as it dropped he produced a first-time looping cross with the outside of his left boot. the goalkeeper stranded, matheus beat his marker to the punch.
dnipro were determined not to rest on their laurels after the interval. filipe was again alert to beat away a fierce half-volley from an unmarked konoplyanka, but could do nothing about dnipro's 66th-minute second. the tricky winger jinked across the box after cutting in from the left and curled a wonderful effort in off the right upright.
that strike all but ended the contest and only the reflexes of the impressive filipe prevented nikola kalinić adding a final flourish. with two fixtures remaining paços are eliminated, while dnipro will go head to head with the viola for top spot.
