MARIO BALOTELLI scored twice as Nice booked their place in the Europa League knock-out stages.
The French side needed a victory against Belgian side Zulte Waregem to secure their passage — and the Italian duly delivered.
Balotelli opened the scoring on five minutes, before converting a 31st-minute penalty. Brian Hamalainen pulled one back near the end, but Adrien Tameze made it 3-1 to Nice five minutes from time to ensure the Ligue 1 side finished second. First place Group K had already been secured by Lazio, who had maximum points coming into the penultimate round of fixtures. But, despite an impressive performance, the Italian giants could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against Vitesse Arnhem, thanks to Luis Alberto's stunning equaliser. AC Milan were big winners as they qualified for the knock-out stage.
Andre Silva and impressive youngster Patrick Cutrone hit a brace apiece as the seven-time European champions came from a goal down to beat Austria Vienna 5-1. The Austrians could still qualify if they beat AEK Athens, who drew 2-2 with HNK Rijeka, in the final game in Group D. Arsenal were confirmed as group winners despite losing in Koln following Red Star Belgrade's 0-0 draw with Bate Borisov. While Everton could yet avoid finishing dead last after Lyon hammered Apollon Limassol 4-0. Marseille could have sealed qualification, but lost 1-0 at Konyaspor as Red Bull Salzburg clinched Group I after beating Vitoria Guimaraes 3-0.
Villarreal will finish top of Group A after beating Astana 3-2 courtesy of their better head-to-head record against Slavia Prague. But the Czech side will face a crunch final game against the Kazakh side, who are just a point behind in third. Slavia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0. In Group B, Dynamo Kiev missed the chance to secure top spot as they lost 3-2 at Skenderbeu. Partizan Belgrade, who clinched qualification after beating Young Boys 2-1, could pip them with victory in Ukraine in the final game. Sporting Braga's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim eliminated the German side, while Istanbul Basaksehir gave themselves a chance of qualification with a 2-1 win at Ludogorets. The Turkish side a three points behind the Bulgarians in Group C, but with a better head-to-head record.
Sheriff Tiraspol 1-0 win over Zlin means they will qualify if they can avoid defeat at FC Copenhagen on matchday six.
The Danes lost 2-1 at Lokomotiv Moscow.
From The Sun
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