Spartak Moscow stuned Ajax with a second half goal from from Alex to put them in the driving seat for a place in the last eight of the Europa League.
The result looks even more impressive after FC Twente beat Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg 3-0 tonight.
Spartak start the new domestic season at the weekend but after eliminating Basle and winning at the Amsterdam ArenA they are certain to start the league campaign in confident mood.
Goalkeeper Andriy Dykan was the hero for the visitors with a string of saves to keep Ajax at bay although the home side’s finishing did leave a lot to be desired.
The decisive goal arrived in the 57th minute when Alex brushed off a couple of challenges before drilling home a low shot from 20 yards out.
Despite holding a first leg lead Spartak won’t be taking anything for granted in the return leg, earlier this season in the Champions League they won 1-0 away to Marseille but lost 3-0 at home allowing the French side to qualify for the next stage alongside Chelsea.
Elsewhere in the Europa League it was a bad night for the two English clubs with Liverpool losing 1-0 away to Braga and Manchester City going down 2-0 away to Dinamo Kiev.
Result of the night was probably in Germany where Villarreal won 3-2 away to Bayer Leverkusen.
In the only goal-less match of the night PSV Eindhoven drew at home with Rangers.
Celts shine against Italy
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