Champions League qualifier: Legia Warsaw 1-0 Linfield

Legia substitute Jose Kante struck nine minutes from time to inflict a Champions League first qualifying round defeat on 10-man Linfield.

The Irish League visitors frustrated the Poles in the first half and went closest through a Mark Stafford header.

It remained a dull stalemate until the last 15 minutes when Kirk Millar was dismissed and Legia capitalised as Kante hit the bottom corner.

Both sides were denied by the woodwork in a frantic finale.

• Blues fall to late Legia goal - as it happened

Maciej Rosolek's clipped effort came back off the Linfield bar and post before Christy Manzinga's shot cannoned of an upright.

It was a lively finish to a largely disappointing game in which Legia required the extra man before making their control count.

Drita forfeit tie

Linfield were granted a bye to the game after Kosovan opponents FC Drita had two positive Covid-19 cases before last week's scheduled tie in Switzerland.

A Legia player also tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday but the game went ahead behind closed doors at the Polish Army Stadium.

The pattern of the game was set from the start, with Legia bossing possession but failing to threaten while Linfield sat back soaking it up with ease.

Linfield keeper Chris Johns denies Legia at the Polish Army Stadium

Blues keeper Chris Johns denied Michal Mladenovic and Tomas Pekhart before defender Stafford saw his glancing header kept out by former Celtic and Southampton stopper Artur Boruc just before the break.

Mateusz Wieteska headed wide as Legia continued to struggle in the final third until midfielder Millar picked up a second yellow card.

It was a quality finish from Kante, arrowing the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards for the winner.

Legia's reward is a second-round qualifier against Ararat (Armenia) or Omonia (Cyprus).