Europa League: Hannover win with last-minute goal

Hanover’s Hungarian midfielder Szabolcs Huszti (front) and Helsingborg’s midfielder Mattias Lindstroem vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League Group L football match Hannover 96 vs Helsingborg IF on November 8, 2012 in Hanover, western Germany

Berlin - Hannover secured their berth in the round of 32 with a 3-2 win over Helsingborg in Group L of UEFA Europa League football.

Hannover’s Szabolcs Huszti ensured the victory on Thursday with his last minute penalty while Helsingborg booked two straight red cards in the dying minutes of the match, Xinhua reports.

Hannover broke the deadlock with only three minutes into the match as Mame Biram Diouf headed home a cross inside the penalty area.

The hosts were clearly in control of the proceeding of the pitch meanwhile Helsingborg defended deep to avoid another blow.

Nevertheless Dider Ya Konan, Mame Biram Diouf and Lars Stindl created opportunities to set the visitors consequently under pressure.

Four minutes into the second half Hannover caught Helsingborg flat footed when Diouf doubled the lead with a diving header following a cross from the left wing by Lars Stindl.

All at once Helsingborg gained a foothold into the match when Nikola Djurdjic reduced the lead by Hannover to 2-1 following a cross by Mattias Lindstroem in the 59th minute.

To make it worse for the hosts, Helsingborg’ s Alejandro Bedoya netted a long range cross to level the score in the 67th minute.

Hannover was dazed but they were able to put up some resistance against frenetic Helsingborg. However, both sides were lurking for the lucky punch to grab three points.

Finally, in the 88th minute referee Fredy Fautrel awarded Hannover a penalty, as Peter Larsson committed a foul play inside the penalty area.

Larsson was dismissed with a straight red card owing to the professional foul whereas his teammate Walid Atta was sent off for dissent.

Hannover’s Szabolcs Huszti converted the penalty with a bit of luck as Helsingborg’s goalkeeper Paer Hansson had his hands on the ball.

The Germans sit atop the standings in Group L followed by Levante, Enschede and Helsingborg.