Azmoun on target in Champions League Qualifer

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Anderlecht – A 2-0 victory for Rostov over RSC Anderlecht means the storied Russian Premier League side will move on to the play-off round of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League.

Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun nearly put Rostov in the lead in the 17th minute with a diving header that bounced off the post.

Ecuadorian midfielder Christian Noboa got Rostov on the board in the 27th minute to give his side a 1-0 with a long range blast from nearly forty yards out.

The Anderlecht supporters inside Constant Vanden Stock Stadium expected better of their squad after securing a crucial 2-2 draw in Rostov last week but the visitors from Russia got off to the perfect start and led going into the interval.

Two minutes into the second half a move started by Noboa found Aleksandr Bukharov. The Russian forward made the perfect flick pass that found its way to the always dangerous Sardar Azmoun.

The Iranian striker from Gonbad Kavus made no mistake and easily slotted the ball past keeper Davy Roef to give Rostov a vital 2-0 lead. Azmoun continues to show why Rostov were so excited to trigger the buy-out clause from Azmoun’s former club Rubin Kazan.

Anderlecht did everything they could to try and find a goal to make the match interesting but it wasn’t to be their night in a frustrating match.

The supporters inside the stadium shared their frustrations as well when it became apparent that the Rostov players began embellishing injuries to waste time.

Azmoun was substituted off after fifty-seven minutes for Dmitry Poloz but Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi was brought on in the 74th minute for Aleksandr Bukharov.

Ezatolahi picked up a yellow card minutes later for an apparent elbow.

Tempers flared at times during the match as the Anderlecht players let their emotions get the best of them.

Rostov coach Kurban Berdyev and his squad were delighted at the final whistle and made sure to show their appreciation to the traveling Yellow-Blue contingent of Rostov fans that stayed loud and supportive throughout the match.