A stoppage-time goal from Russia international striker Alexander Kokorin rescued a 2-2 draw for Dynamo Moscow away at Dundee United.
The hosts came close to a famous victory at Tannadice Park before Kokorin leveled the scores with a 20-yard screamer deep into added time of Thursday's game.
The result leaves Dynamo in a strong position for next Thursday’s second leg in Russia, with two away goals meaning that their Scottish visitors will have to win or secure a draw of 2-2 or greater to have any chance of progressing.
Former Cardiff City winger Willo Flood opened the scoring for the hosts on 36 minutes, shedding his marker Marko Lomic before sending a low shot into Anton Shunin’s net.
Dynamo struck back five minutes after the break through Igor Semshov, one of four players in the side who had played at Euro 2012, as the midfielder headed a cross from Kokorin past Dundee United goalkeeper Radoslav Cierznak, making his debut for the Tangerines.
A tap-in from defender Keith Watson restored the hosts’ lead on 76 minutes after he picked up the ball in the six-yard box from a Gary Steven corner.
Before Watson’s goal, Dundee United had chances to extend their lead as Gary Mackay-Steven and John Rankin sent a steady stream of shots at Shunin’s goal.
Dynamo missed chances of their own, with ex-Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi heading wide twice in the first half and forcing a save from Cierznak shortly after Semshov’s equalizer.
