Giuliano’s 78th minute goal denied Dundalk an historic point against Zenit St Petersburg at the Petrovsky Stadium as the Russians ran out 2-1 winners in the end.
Despite being on the backfoot for long periods of the first half, Dundalk went close to taking the lead when a John Mountney cross came back off the upright on 13 minutes.
After a series of pressure though, Zenit took the lead on 42 minutes following a mistake at the back from the visitors. Brian Gartland was caught in possession by Alex Kerzakhov with Giuliano finishing the chance to leave it 1-0 at half-time.
Dundalk equalised seven minutes into the second half when Daryl Horgan raced clear to finish for what was a superb goal.
However, a close range strike from Giuliano 12 minutes from the end put an end to Dundalk’s resistance as the home side retook the lead.
Dundalk were unlucky not to grab a draw near the end though when Patrick McEleney was denied by the woodwork.
Zenit St Petersburg: M Kerzhakov; Anyukov, Luis Neto, Lombaerts (Zhirkov 88), Criscito; Witsel, Guiliano, Mauricio; Kokorin, A Kerzhakov (Djordevic 92), Shatov (Mak 68).
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Shields; Mountney (O’Donnell HT), McEleney (Shiels 83), Finn, Horgan; McMillan (Kilduff 65).