Half-Time Report: Gonzalo Higuain draws Napoli level

Napoli have come from behind against Sparta Prague to take a 1-1 draw into the break in their Europa League group stage opener this evening.

Walter Gargano and Miguel Britos both fired over in the first five minutes, as the hosts made a positive start.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when Josef Husbauer fired in from the edge of the box after Napoli had failed to clear a corner.

Midway through the first half Napoli were awarded a penalty after Nhamoinesu Costa handled Jose Callejon's effort, as the Spaniard followed up Marek Hamsik's shot that had come back off the bar.

Gonzalo Higuain, who had missed a penalty in his last match, stepped up and made no mistake with a confident finish into the bottom corner past David Bicik.

Just past the half-hour mark Napoli hit the woodwork for the second time as Callejon's powerful strike from a tight angle came crashing back off the bar.

The hosts looked the more likely to score before half time, but they could not find a way through as Sparta held on to go into the break level.