The game was a tight affair for long periods…
Dundalk lost out to Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Europa League group stage tonight by 2-1 in what was a hard fought encounter.
Zenit had a lot of the ball in the first half as they used their experience to maintain possession. The total value of their squad topped €140 million and contained 21 full internationals.
But that was to change in the second half when Dundalk were to turn the game on its head to get a goal as Robbie Benson scored from distance. They were unlucky not to go two goals up minutes later when Dane Massey’s header hit the post.
WATCH!!
Robbie Benson's long-range strike sends @DundalkFC 1-0 ahead vs Zenit! #LOIinEurope https://t.co/Z8cl7ERL5k— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 20, 2016
Dundalk continued to absorb pressure thereafter and it eventually told as fatigue began to creep into their play. Zenit scored two goals in seven minutes in the third quarter to pull ahead, and indeed it could have been worse for Dundalk as Gabriel Sava saved a late penalty.
It was a great performance from Dundalk but ultimately it seemed that five matches in 12 days caught up with them.
Credit Dundalk. Unbelievable again.
— Christopher Harrington (@ChrisHarrosix) October 20, 2016
No matter the final score, once again a @DundalkFC performance has raised the profile of #LOIinEurope – 13,000 tweets in 24 hours https://t.co/A67qfr8cKG
— Stephen O'Leary (@stephenoleary) October 20, 2016
Result isn't the important thing. A budget of €165million v €1million. Again, I'm saying the product is there,it needs support #LOIinEurope
— Alan Kelly (@alanrefkelly) October 20, 2016
Seriously well done #dundalk . Did the jersey, the league and country proud. pic.twitter.com/DD8ID7O5lp
— Johnny Fallon (@jonnyfallon) October 20, 2016
Disappointed for Dundalk, but it's a measure of how far they've come that we're expecting them to beat the likes of Zenit St Petersburg now.
— Frank McNally (@FrankmcnallyIT) October 20, 2016
Credit to Dundalk, a team that cost €20,000. Sloppy goals cost them. A credit to Irish football, mixing it with some top sides in Europe.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) October 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/johnnyforan/status/789209939675901952
A Dundalk team assembled for €20k – playing 5th game in 12 days – leading a Zenit squad that cost €145m. Whatever happens from now. Wow.
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) October 20, 2016
Hard Luck to Dundalk tonight, deserved a point at least
— Jimmy 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 (@jimmymcquid123) October 20, 2016
