Crvena Zvezda 2-2 FC Copenhagen: Hosts Denied as Danish Side Fight Back Twice

Full-time score: Crvena Zvezda 2, FC Copenhagen 2
Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League
Date: 23 October 2026

Crvena Zvezda and FC Copenhagen shared the points after a compelling 2-2 draw in the UEFA Europa Conference League at Rajko Mitic Stadium. The Serbian hosts twice took the lead, but Copenhagen responded on each occasion and earned a deserved point with a late equaliser that silenced the home crowd.

Match overview

Crvena Zvezda started with the intensity expected of a home side in European competition, pressing high and forcing Copenhagen into several early turnovers. That pressure paid off when the hosts opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing off a quick move after winning the ball in the attacking third. Copenhagen gradually settled, though, and found an equaliser before half-time through a sharp counter-attack that exposed the space behind Crvena Zvezda’s advanced full-backs.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Crvena Zvezda restored their lead just after the hour mark from a set piece, with a powerful header from a corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. Copenhagen stayed in the game, made positive substitutions and pushed more bodies forward in the final 15 minutes. Their persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute when a deep cross was turned in at the back post, securing a 2-2 draw.

Key moments

• 16th minute: Crvena Zvezda win the ball high up the pitch and open the scoring with a low finish from the edge of the area.
• 38th minute: FC Copenhagen equalise with a fast break, finishing a cut-back from the right-hand side.
• 61st minute: Crvena Zvezda regain the lead through a towering header from a corner.
• 88th minute: Copenhagen level again as a substitute converts a cross at the far post.
• 90+4 minute: Crvena Zvezda have one final chance from a free-kick, but the Copenhagen goalkeeper claims it comfortably.

Tactical story

Crvena Zvezda’s 4-2-3-1 shape was designed to dominate possession and squeeze Copenhagen in their own half. The hosts found success through their No. 10, who drifted between the lines and linked play intelligently. However, their aggressive full-backs left gaps in transition, and Copenhagen repeatedly targeted those spaces with direct passes into the channels.

Copenhagen’s 4-3-3 mid-block became more effective as the match wore on. Their midfield trio stayed compact, forcing Crvena Zvezda wide, and their wide forwards carried a constant counter-attacking threat. The Danish side’s substitutions also made a difference, adding fresh legs and a more direct presence in the box for the late equaliser.

Standout performers

Crvena Zvezda’s attacking midfielder was the game’s most creative player, setting the tempo and contributing to both goals. Copenhagen’s goalkeeper made two important saves in the second half, while the substitute who scored the late equaliser changed the dynamic of the match. The visiting captain also deserves credit for keeping his side organised during long spells without the ball.

What the draw means

Both teams add one point to their UEFA Europa Conference League league-phase tally. For Crvena Zvezda, the result will feel like two points dropped after leading twice at home. For Copenhagen, the comeback provides encouragement and shows the squad’s resilience ahead of their next European fixture. The draw keeps the group-level standings tight and leaves both sides with work to do in the remaining matchdays.