AEL Limassol have beaten Nice 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying tie.

After an even first half, the home side began to take control of the match, thanks to a double from Gaston Sangoy.

The opening 45 minutes produced very few chances. Bryan Constant missed the best of the goalscoring opportunities for Nice midway through, firing wide after collecting a through-ball.

Sangoy then missed several half-chances for Limassol, ensuring that the sides went in goalless at the break.

Shortly into the second half he made up for it, reacting quickest to fire home after the ball had rebounded off the goalkeeper following a free kick.

The Argentine doubled his tally less than 10 minutes later, sending a well-controlled volley into the corner after meeting Bertrand Robert's cross.

With 10 minutes to go, substitute Dario Cvitanich had the ball in the net for Nice but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.

The striker then had a penalty shout turned down late on, and was booked for his subsequent complaints.