APOEL hosted Bordeaux in the group stages of the Europa League on Thursday as both teams looked to boost their chances of progressing in the competition.
Nektarios Alexandrou fired his side into the lead with a long-range effort but Bordeaux struck back before half time thanks to a header from Ludovic Sane.
Landry N'Guemo and Mario Budimir were both dismissed early in the second after the latter reacted badly to a foul from the Bordeaux midfielder, who received a second yellow.
Nuno Morais secured the victory for his side with a calm finish from 12 yards out following a flowing passing move.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
7.55pmUnfortunately that's all we have time for this evening. Thanks for joining me for a thoroughly entertaining game.
7.54pmAPOEL have held on for their first victory in nine European games. It's a result which still gives them an opportunity of progressing in the competition. Bordeaux face a fight to book their spot in the knockout stages.
7.53pmFULL-TIME: APOEL 2-1 BORDEAUX
90+4 minCHANCE! Bordeaux miss one final opportunity as Sacko heads a Sertic free kick wide from 12 yards out.
90+2 minYELLOW CARD! Pardo is more than happy to accept a yellow card for time wasting at this late stage.
90+1 minCHANCE! Sertic delivers a superb corner but Faubert must shut his eyes as he misses a free header from just six yards out. That's a big opportunity wasted.
90 minThe fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added one. Will there be one final twist?
89 minSUBSTITUTION: One more change for the hosts as Solomou comes on to replace Aloneftis.
87 minYELLOW CARD! Vinicius is the latest player to be booked as he commits a foul in midfield to stop a Bordeaux attack from building.
85 minSacko does well to win a free kick for his side just outside the box on the left wing. Saivet whips in a cross but Pardo gets enough on his punch to clear the danger.
84 minSHOT! Bellion has looked dangerous since his introduction but he once again fails to test Pardo when he slices a shot wide from distance.
82 minCHANCE! The threat continues when Bordeaux fail to clear a corner and the ball falls to Soitrou. However, his effort is mistimed and the ball drifts wide.
81 minSAVE! Stunning stop from Carrasso to deny Morais, who was allowed to cruise into the box by the Bordeaux defence before being frustrated in his attempt to secure the victory.
80 minGood move from Bordeaux to create space for Bellion but he fails to hit the target with a curled effort from outside the box.
79 minAPOEL are showing the first signs of nerves at the back as they look to hold on for the win. Remember, they haven't recorded a victory in their last nine previous European games.
77 minSAVES! Carrasso just manages to keep his side in this game with two great saves. Morais breaks into the box and looks for the bottom corner but Carrasso does just enough to get a hand on the ball before springing to his feet to deny Benachour.
76 minSAVE! Sertic curls a shot at goal from the free kick but Pardo makes the easiest of saves in the APOEL goal.
75 minBellion wins the ball in midfield and sprints into space as he looks to create something for his side. Morais trips the substitute to concede a free kick 25 yards away from goal.
74 minThe changes have not made an impact yet. It is APOEL who are controlling the game and they're enjoying plenty of possession in the latter stages of this game.
72 minSUBSTITUTION: Gillot doesn't wait long to make the rest of his changes as David Bellion and Hadi Sacko replace Obraniak and Jussie. The dice has been rolled.
71 minSUBSTITUTION: Saivet is on to replace Rolan, who has had a poor game tonight. Gillot is beginning to look desperate on the sidelines.
69 minMorais attempts to break into the box again by applying pressure to the Bordeaux defence but his eagerness costs him as the referee awards a free kick for a foul on Sane.
68 minAPOEL are certainly looking the more relaxed of the two sides but they will want a third goal to make sure of the victory. Aloneftis has drifted out of the game in the second half, so they need to get him involved.
66 minThere's a brief stoppage in play when Morais collides with Poundje in the air. It looks like both player will be fine to continue. Neither manager will want to be forced into a changes as they both look to work with the 10 men they have on the pitch.
63 minJust as they did the first time they took the lead, APOEL are inviting pressure by dropping deeper. They must attempt to be positive when they do have the ball.
61 minBordeaux have won a couple of corners in the last two minutes but they're still struggling to create opportunities. We've seen some great drama tonight. Will there be a big finish?
59 minThe frustration for the visitors is obvious and they're beginning to lose their discipline on the pitch. APOEL are improving with every passing minute.
57 minCHANCE! APOEL should be 3-1 up. Bordeaux are a shambles at the back as the hosts knock the ball around with ease before finding Sergio, whose effort is blocked by Carrasso.
56 minSUBSTITUTION: Sotiriou comes on to replace Charalambides as APOEL look to keep hold of the lead.
55 minAPOEL retake the lead following a superb passing move. Bencahour receives a firm pass on the edge of the box and he does brilliantly to find Morais, who keeps calm to slot the ball into the bottom corner. That could be a huge goal for the hosts.
55 minGOAL! APOEL 2-1 BORDEAUX (MORAIS)
52 minThe crowd don't seem to know how to react following the two red cards. Budimir could not believe that he was sent off for his part, which did not seem to be as serious as the referee suggested.
50 minRED CARDS! Huge drama at the GSP Stadium as the referee shows two red cards. N'Guemo is adjudged to have committed a foul on Budimir and he receives a second yellow for the foul. However, the referee isn't finished there as he gives Budimir his marching orders for an apparent elbow to the Bordeaux ace.
48 minThe ball is given away by the visitors in midfield and Aloneftis sprints away on the left. However, he loses his footing at a crucial stage and Bordeaux are able to recover.
47 minIt's been a scrappy start to the second half at the GSP Stadium, with neither side gaining the upper hand early on.
7.03pmThe referee gets the game back underway.
7.02pmThe players are heading out of the changing rooms now as the second half approaches.
6.59pmBoth teams will expect to improve after the break. APOEL really need a victory to give themselves any hope of reaching the next round. A defeat could be destroy their chances.
6.55pmAPOEL looked very lively early on and were asking the visitors plenty of questions but they've struggled since opening the scoring. In truth, Bordeaux haven't been much better but they've got the momentum now.
6.52pmIt was Alexandrou who opened the scoring this evening with an unstoppable strike from 30 yards out. He has since been forced off with an injury. and APOEL have their backs against the wall now.
6.50pmAPOEL were moments away from heading into the break ahead but Sane, just as he did two weeks ago, headed past Pardo to level the scores.
6.49pmHALF-TIME: APOEL 1-1 BORDEAUX
45+2 minBordeaux level the scores with virtually the last piece of action in the first half. Obraniak whips in a corner and Sane earns some space to head home as Pardo flaps at the ball in the six yard box. That could be a massive goal.
45+2 minGOAL! APOEL 1-1 BORDEAUX (SANE)
45+1 minBordeaux are asking all of the questions in added time as APOEL drop deeper and deeper.
45 minThe fourth official confirms that there will be two minutes of added time.
44 minAPOEL aren't carrying the threat they did in the early stages as the half time whistle approaches. Bordeaux are dominating possession now but they're lacking creativity in the final third of the pitch.
43 minJovanovic is screaming orders at his team from the sidelines as he looks to ensure that APOEL go into the break ahead.
41 minCLOSE! Bordeaux win a free kick on the right, which Obraniak delivers into the box. Brechet loses his marker but he fails to find the target with his header.
40 minSHOT! Obraniak is offered too much space by the APOEL defence but his effort is easily saved by Pardo.
39 minJussie manages to fight his way into the penalty area and he appeals for a penalty following a challenge Morais. A replay proves that the forward is fortunate not to be booked for a dive.
38 minSUBSTITUTION: Big blow for the hosts as Alexandrou is forced off due to an injury. Benachour is his replacement.
36 minYELLOW CARD! N'Guemo is the second player to receive a caution following a late challenge on Aloneftis in midfield.
34 minA couple of corners arrive in quick succession for the visitors but they continue to struggle to test Pardo, who has made just one easy save in the first half.
33 minCabral applies himself impressively when Rolan drifts out wide to collect the ball. The APOEL defender refuses to jump in and he steals the ball just before Rolan can deliver a cross.
32 minThe visitors win another corner but Sertic's delivery is disappointing and APOEL continue to defend well as they look to protect their lead. Alexandrou's effort is the difference so far.
30 minBordeaux are improving as the first half progresses but their lack of a threat in the final third will be a real concern for Francis Gillot.
28 minFaubert displays his pace on the right to break forward from full back but his drilled cross into the box is deflected behind for a corner. APOEL deal with the threat from the set piece easily.
26 minSHOT! Good skill from Sertic earns himself some room and he targets the bottom corner from 25 yards out. However, the effort is weak and Pardo makes a simple save.
25 minA moment of hesitation in the box almost offers a chance to Bordeaux but Rolan loses his balance at the crucial moment and the hosts move quickly to clear the danger.
23 minYELLOW CARD! Charalambides thinks he has created an opportunity for himself but the referee stops play to book him for an earlier foul on Sertic.
22 minRolan and Jussie are looking very isolated in attack as Bordeaux continue to struggle. APOEL's midfield is stealing the show so far.
20 minIn truth, Bordeaux have been very poor so far. Obranaiak has been wasteful in possession and the away side's creative players have been unable to make an impact.
19 minCHANCE! Obraniak's free kick is poor and it gives the hosts the opportunity to launch a counter attack. Aloneftis sprints away from the Bordeaux defence but he wastes too much time and his eventual shot is too weak to trouble Carrasso.
17 minAPOEL are defending from the front impressively. Bordeaux aren't being given the opportunity to settle into any sort of rhythm as they search for a way back into this game.
15 minBordeaux are seeing plenty of the ball following the opening goal but they haven't created much in the game yet. The GSP Stadium is bouncing after Alexandrou's strike.
13 minWhat a stunning goal! Budimir holds up the ball well 30 yards from goal and he wins a free kick from Sane, who foolishly jumps in with a tackle. The free kick is shifted to Alexandrou and he unleashes a brilliant strike to find the top corner of the goal.
13 minGOAL! APOEL 1-0 BORDEAUX (ALEXANDROU)
12 minThe home side are enjoying a good spell of possession now as they begin to wrestle back the control from Bordeaux, who have resorted to a more direct approach.
10 minAPOEL win their first corner of the match on the right but Charalambides fails to pick out a teammate from the set piece and Bordeaux are able to clear with ease.
9 minSHOT! Charalambides commits a foul in midfield and Bordeaux use the ball well to break forward in numbers. N'Guemo is picked out in space but his weak effort drifts wide of the target.
7 minThere's a good atmosphere inside the ground in the early stages as APOEL begin to play some nice football in the final third of the pitch. Better signs from the hosts.
5 minAPOEL haven't seen much of the ball yet but they've defended well so far and are applying good pressure in midfield.
3 minA long ball forward almost creates an opening for the visitors but the assistant referee raises his flag to stop Jussie's progress.
1 minBordeaux get the game underway and they've looked relaxed in the opening stages of this match.
5.59pmBoth teams are out on the pitch now and the match is almost ready to begin.
5.57pmYou can follow all the action from across Europe tonight by clicking on the box to the right of your page. It's a very important night for a lot of teams.
5.54pmAPOEL haven't won in nine European games. Can they finally bring joy to their fans tonight? Remember, they were the club who were reinstated to the competition after Fenerbahce were thrown out.
5.52pmThere's under 10 minutes remaining before the action gets underway at the GSP Stadium. It's time for me to have a guess at what the score will be. Bordeaux need a win this evening but I think APOEL have enough quality to secure a 2-2 draw.
5.49pmAPOEL supporters will be happy to learn that Bordeaux haven't recorded a victory in their previous three away games in Europe. If the visitors can end that run tonight, they'll be in a good position heading into the final two group games.
5.47pmFrancis Gillot leaves Henri Saivet on the bench, while Diego Rolan and Jussie are both asked to provide the attacking threat for the visitors. Strangely, goalkeepers Kevin Olimpa and Azbe Jug are both named on the bench.
5.44pmBORDEAUX: Carrasso, Brechet, Sane, Poundje, Obraniak, N’Guemo, Maurice-Belay, Faubert, Sertic, Rolan, Jussie
SUBSTITUTES: Jug, Olimpa, Savic, Planus, Saivet, Bellion, Sacko
5.41pmNo real surprises from APOEL manager Ivan Jovanovic. Efstathios Aloneftis had an excellent game against Bordeaux a couple of weeks ago, so expect him to carry much of the threat today. Esmael Goncalves, who scored in that match, is named as a substitute.
5.39pmAPOEL: Pardo, Oliveira, Borda, Sergio, Cabral, Charalambides, Vinicius, Morais, Aloneftis, Budimir, Alexandrou
SUBSTITUTES: Chiotis, Guilherme, Benachour, Manduca, Solomou, Sotiriou, Goncalves
5.37pmAPOEL's chances of reaching the knockout stages look unlikely after three games in Group F. They simply have to win tonight to put pressure on the teams above them.
5.35pmBordeaux are currently third in Group F with three points, one point behind Maccabi Tel Aviv and six behind leader Eintacht Frankfurt. Those two clubs face each other later tonight.
5.32pmThe French club claimed a 2-1 victory a fortnight ago despite not being at their best in front of their home supporters. APOEL are yet to record a win in Group F, so they'll be hoping for an improved display in Cyprus.
5.30pmHello everyone. Bordeaux beat APOEL just two weeks ago but they face the same opponents tonight as they look to improve their chances of qualifying for the next round of the Europa League.
