BERLIN, Aug 15: Nine-man Lazio had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Dinamo Bucharest on Tuesday, leaving their hopes of a return to the group phase of the Champions League in the balance.

Valencia made all but certain of their ticket to the main event with a 3-0 win over Swedish champions Elfsborg but otherwise the home favourites had to work hard in the third qualifying round, first leg games.

Benfica snatched a 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen in Lisbon when Rui Costa scored his second of the night four minutes from time.

Rangers left it even later to grab a 1-0 victory at home to former European champions Red Star Belgrade, with Nacho Novo pouncing on a loose ball to supply the winner in the last minute.

The other 12 first leg matches in the third and final qualifying round were being played on Wednesday. The second legs are set for Aug 28 and 29.

The match between Lazio and Dinamo Bucharest was marred by clashes between fans before kickoff. Two Dinamo fans were stabbed and three more injured.

Lazio, trying to get back into the group stage for the first time since 2003-04, fell behind to a 22nd minute header from Ionel Danciulescu.

But Lazio got a deserved equaliser when Massimo Mutarelli headed home a Lorenzo De Silvestri cross early in the second half.

Lazio finished the game with nine men after Valon Behrami was sent off for a dangerous two-footed challenge and Mutarelli received a second yellow card. Dinamo's Lucian Goian got a red card for a second booking in added time.

Tuesday’s results:

Third qualification round, first leg:

Lazio 1 Dinamo Bucharest 1

Rangers 1 Red Star Belgrade 0

Benfica 2 FC Copenhagen 1

Valencia 3 Elfsborg Boras 0

—Reuters