Spartak Moscow, Celta Vigo draw 1-1

Moscow:

Spartak Moscow were held to a 1-1 draw by Celta Vigo in Moscow in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 32 on Thursday. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, Spartak chose to hold the game at their own Luzhniki stadium rather than relocate to the south. But although the Russian side dominated possession in the first half, Celta certainly did not appear adversely affected by the cold. They took the lead in style in the 40th minute. Gustavo Lopez and Fabio Canobbio combined superbly. Lopez found Antonio Nunez, and the defender fired into the bottom corner. Spartak pulled level 19 minutes into the second half. Wicked deflection Maxym Kalynychenko's free-kick took a wicked deflection off Celta's defensive wall, leaving goalkeeper Esteban Suarez helpless. Celta were left ruing such bad fortune - but they could have snatched a win in injury time. Fernando Baiano's first effort was saved by Dmitry Khomich. The Brazilian's follow-up header went just over. After a 1-1 draw, though, it is the Spaniards who will be much the happier of the two sides as they return to warmer climes back home.