In the opening match of the two-legged tie, it was Dinamo who seized the initiative with a 21st-minute strike from Ionel Danciulescu.

The Italian hosts then suffered further agony when Tomasso Rocchi missed from the penalty spot, but they eventually restored parity in the 53rd minute thanks to Massimo Mutarelli.

Further drama was to come with Lazio's Valon Behrami shown a red card for a deliberate handball, while goalscorer Mutarelli joined his team-mate in the dressing room four minutes from time following a similar offence.

Lucian Goian was also given his marching orders for the visitors in the dying seconds, leaving all to play for in the return match in Romania in a fortnight.

In Lisbon, American talent Freddy Adu made his debut for Benfica, but it was another recent signing, Rui Costa, who stole the limelight with both goals in their 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen.

The veteran midfielder opened his account for the evening in the 25th minute, but Atiba Hutchinson pulled the Danish champions level 11 minutes later.

Adu came on to replace Luisao moments later but was unable to make an impact, and it was left to Rui Costa to seal the first-leg win four minutes before the final whistle.

Valencia remain favourites to progress to the group stage of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 win over Swedish title-holders Elfsborg in their third qualifying round match.

Vicente scored the opener for the Spanish hosts after just six minutes, with David Silva doubling their advantage in the 58th minute.

Fernando Morientes then rounded off the result after 70 minutes.

And Rangers will take a slender 1-0 advantage into the return leg of their match against Red Star Belgrade after Nacho Novo's last gasp goal earned them the spoils against the Serbian champions.