Late equalizer allows FC Copenhagen to hang on to pole position in race for Danish title

Dju Franculino and Marcos Lopez battle for the ball
Dju Franculino and Marcos Lopez battle for the ballMIchael Barrett Boesen / Alamy / Profimedia
A late equalizer from Thomas Delaney gave FC Copenhagen a share of the spoils in the heated top clash against FC Midtjylland which ended in a 1-1 draw and thereby allowed Jakob Neestrup's side to hang on to their top position in the Danish Superliga, one point ahead of the reigning Danish champions, FC Midtjylland. Two matches remain in the Superliga.

The Parken stadium was boiling with expectation for the match which has been sold out for weeks but the entertainment for the spectators couldn't match the importance of the match as it quickly turned into a physical encounter. 

FC Midtjylland had the better of the early action, however, without creating any clear-cut opportunities and slowly the home side slightly recovered and could have taken the lead after around 20 minutes, when Danish international Victor Froholdt tested Jonas Lössl with a strong shot at the near post.

Ten minutes later, FC Copenhagen  were close to taking the lead after the first corner kick of the game, with Pantelis Hatzidiakos coming close.

The lack of sharpness proved, however, costly for the home side as the visitors suddenly struck at the opposite end after 38 minutes of play. 

As so many times before, the recipe was a long throw-in which was flicked on by Mads Bech Sorensen for the onrushing Oliver Sorensen to steer the ball over the line at the back post.

FC Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup must have spoken strong words at the interval as the home team came out aggressively in the second half.

During the opening minutes, the home team created several half chances, but the goal instinct was lacking in the final third of the pitch.

In general, FCK found it difficult to find openings against the visitors' strong rearguard.

A win for FC Midtjylland seemed more more and more likely until seven minutes from the end when former Danish international Thomas Delaney searched into the box to steer a delivery from Mohamed Elyounoussi into the goal past a helpless Jonas Lössl to give the home side what could turn out to be a hugely important draw.