Spartak Moscow 1 Willem II 1

Spartak were held in rainy conditions 1-1 by Willem II of Tilburg tonight in Moscow to hinder their chances of making the next phase of the Champions League.

It gave the Dutch side their first point in the competition and Sparta Prague can shut Spartak out of the qualification places if they get at least a draw away at Girondins Bordeaux tonight. A point for Sparta would leave the Moscow club heading into the Third Round draw of the UEFA Cup next month. Willem have now been eliminated from the section and will play their last European game of this season next week at home to Bordeaux.

The home side scored in the 25th minute when Artyom Bezrodhny hit a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Willem equalised after Ousmane Sanou squeezed past two defenders on a run to hit a shot across goalkeeper Alexander Filimonov and into the far corner of the net.

Spartak ended the game with ten men after Yuri Kovtun tripped a forward to earn his second booking in the 88th minute.