Europa League: Lille escape, Marseille cruise

(GSM) – Lille OSC needed a very late goal to secure a spot in the round of sixteen of the UEFA Europa League, at the expense of Fenerbahce. Olympique Marseille had few difficulties against Copenhagen.

After a 2-1 win to Lille in the first leg, the French needed just a draw to be certain of survival.

But Fenerbahce, despite their poor domestic form, had different plans and scored the opening goal through Emre Belozoglu in the 35th minute.

A 1-0 score would have been enough for the Turks to advance on away goals but it was not meant to be for the hosts as defender Adil Rami equalised with five minutes to go in regular time, 1-1 and 2-3 on aggregate.

Olympique Marseille had already beaten Danish side Copenhagen 3-1 in the first leg, and the second leg ended in the exact same result.

Hatem Ben Arfa scored the opener for the French in the 43rd minute, and goals from Bakary Kone (62nd and 78th minutes) left the Danes deflated. Almeida pulled one back for Copenhagen in the 87th minute but it was no more than a consolation goal.