Rio Ave 2 : 2 Steaua Bucuresti - Filip gets the point for Steaua

Posted Friday, November 07, 2014 by PA

Lucian Filip scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Steaua Bucharest salvaged a 2-2 draw from their Europa League trip to Rio Ave.

Steaua arrived as Group J leaders to face a side still pointless after the opening three matches, but twice trailed and snatched a point with virtually the last kick of the game.

Diego Lopes' first-half strike was cancelled out by Cristian Keseru on the hour, but after Lopes put the hosts back in front from the penalty spot with 13 minutes left, it seemed Rio Ave were destined for their first win of the group stages.

However, Filip had other ideas and fired in from close range to deny the Portuguese, moments after Rio Ave had Prince-Desir Gouano sent off for a second bookable offence.

The point is not enough to keep Steaua top of the group after Dynamo Kiev's win over AaB - but it does keep them in front of the Danes.

Goalmouth action was at a premium in the first half.

After a slow start, Steaua threatened twice, but Cristian Tanase's shot from the edge of the area bent wide before Lucian Sanartean sent a free-kick over after Keseru was fouled.

The hosts had barely had a sniff but grabbed the lead with their first clear chance, with Lopes heading in from Andre Ukra's free-kick .

Steaua's reply came on the hour mark as Filip got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Keseru to finish.

Ukra tried to restore Rio Ave's lead but sent his shot wide of the target eight minutes after the equaliser.

However, they were back in front after 77 minutes, with Paul Papp fouling Ricardo Tarantini in the area and Lopes stepping up to stroke home the penalty.

Ahmed Koka then had the chance to put the game to bed only to blaze over, and they paid the price in time added on.

The hosts' first problem arrived when Gouano fouled Keseru for his second yellow card, and moments later Filip finished from close range to snatch a point.