Dame N'Doye's late winner handed FC Copenhagen a 1-0 victory against Rubin Kazan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
N'Doye headed in Martin Vingaard's looped free kick in the 87th minute of a largely forgettable game that was controlled by Rubin Kazan for long periods.
''We tried our best even if we missed the target several times,'' said N'Doye. ''It (Rubin) was a very established team.''
The Russian team started brightly, with Salvatore Bocchetti's shot forcing Copenhagen goalkeeper Johan Wiland into a save in the fourth minute.
Rubin pressed on but was unable to break the deadlock despite attempts from Christian Noboa, Rafal Murawski and Obafemi Martins.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Rubin's Vitaliy Kaleshin, Murawski and Noboa missing the target early on.
The home team, though, came back into the game. William Kvist's 56th-minute shot was stopped by Rubin Kazan 'keeper Sergei Ryzhikov, as was Jesper Gronkjaer's shot from distance in the 70th.
Rubin still looked the team more likely to score until N'Doye, who had been anonymous for much of the game, sent the home fans delirious with his late score.
''Now we have a little more to press the other clubs in the Champions League,'' said midfielder Kvist. ''But on some balls, we played a little bit naive.''
Barcelona routed Panathinaikos 5-1 in Group D's other game.
In the next round on Sept. 29, Rubin hosts Barcelona and Copenhagen plays at Panathinaikos.
