FC Copenhagen and Napoli shared a 1-1 draw in the Danish capital, a result that did little to strengthen either side’s hopes of progressing in the UEFA Champions League. The hosts extended their unbeaten home run to three months, while Napoli brought an end to a five-match away losing streak in the competition.

Earlier results on the night had pushed Copenhagen out of the top 24, and their situation almost worsened inside 10 minutes when hometown-born Rasmus Højlund cut inside and sent a powerful effort from the edge of the area narrowly over the crossbar.

Napoli, who began the evening clinging to the final knockout place, played with clear urgency as they looked to keep qualification in their own hands. Antonio Vergara twice found space in dangerous areas, first firing inches wide before Giovanni Di Lorenzo was denied by Dominik Kotarski from a tight angle.

After spending much of the opening half-hour under sustained pressure, Copenhagen’s task became significantly harder when captain Thomas Delaney was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Stanislav Lobotka following a VAR review.

Napoli needed just four minutes to capitalise on their numerical advantage. Eljif Elmas delivered a pinpoint corner that Scott McTominay met with a powerful header, the midfielder claiming his fourth goal of the League Phase to give the visitors a deserved lead at the break.

The Partenopei appeared on course to extend their perfect record against Danish opposition and nearly doubled their advantage early in the second half, only for Vergara’s well-struck effort to be gathered by Kotarski.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Jacob Neestrup’s side refused to capitulate. On the hour mark, Mads Emil Madsen redirected a corner goalwards with a cushioned volley, forcing Vanja Milinković-Savić into a vital save.

That warning proved significant, as Copenhagen drew level 10 minutes later. Mohamed Elyounoussi was brought down inside the area by Alessandro Buongiorno, and referee Irfan Peljto awarded a penalty. Jordan Larsson saw his initial spot-kick saved by Milinković-Savić, but reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.

The closing stages saw chances at both ends. Junnosuke Suzuki and McTominay exchanged headers that were comfortably dealt with by the goalkeepers, before Kotarski produced an outstanding save to tip Mathías Olivera’s close-range header over the bar.

The final opportunity of the contest fell to Lorenzo Lucca in stoppage time, but the striker blazed over from close range, ensuring the points were shared and leaving both sides occupying the final two qualification places for now.

Looking ahead, the Danish champions are likely to require a positive result away at Barcelona on matchday eight, while Napoli face an equally daunting test when Antonio Conte welcomes former club Chelsea to Naples in eight days’ time.