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After enduring a largely incident free first half Jamie Smith turned the match around with two goals in 10 minutes after the interval before Mikael Antonsson turned the ball into his own net 15 minutes from time. Richard Foster added a fourth in the last 10 minutes to complete the win.

The match got off to a scrappy start with both sides struggling to string together any sustained period of possession and both defences looking decidedly shaky.

It took over 20 minutes for either side to get a shot on target with the majority of the match being played out in the midfield with Copenhagen seemingly quite content to sit back and play for the goalless draw that would see them progress to the knock out stages of the competition.

As the half went on the match looked as though it could turn either way with both sides still looking far more comfortable when going forward than being forced to defend and with neither goalkeeper tested the half ended goalless.

But two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half from Smith completely changed the face of the match and left Copenhagen floundering.

Smith's first came out of nothing as the 27-year-old chipped Copenhagen goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen from 25 yards, bringing a long clearance ball from Jamie Langfield under control with his first touch, turning Antonsson and lobbing the ball goalward.

Just eight minutes later and Smith was at it again, albeit from closer range. Lee Miller, outstanding all night for the Dons, lofted the ball upfield for Smith just inside the area to chase. The former Celtic player again displayed his deft touch by bringing the ball under control and volleying the ball low across the goal and into the back of the net.

Ironically, Smith's easiest chance on goal was the one he missed as he attempted to complete his hat-trick in the 65th minute. Michael Hart this time provided the ball before Smith snatched at the ball with only Christiansen to beat and missed wide of the right post.

Aberdeen did get a third shortly after though when Antonsson turned the ball into his own net after Christiansen failed to gather Miller's low cross from the right. Miller had produced some sterling work down the right wing working his way past two defenders before crossing for Foster charging in at the far post.

Foster did get his name on the scoresheet shortly after though with an almost carbon copy pass this time coming from fellow substitute Chris Maguire as Aberdeen completed the dream win to snatch the third qualification spot in Group B.

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Pippa Davis / Eurosport