Europa League wrap: PSG, Liverpool progress

Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool both qualified for the next stage of the Europa League on Thursday, while AZ Alkmaar were knocked out.

PSG’s 4-2 victory over Sevilla sealed their progress from Group J, while Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away to Steaua Bucharest was enough to confirm them as winners of Group K.

Two goals inside three minutes from Mathieu Bodmer and Guillaume Hoarau saw PSG take a comfortable 2-0 lead in Paris, only for a quick-fire double from former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute to level proceedings.

But a Nene strike on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts a crucial advantage and Horau’s second soon after the interval sealed the victory.

The result sets up an enticing Matchday Six clash between Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund in Spain with the sides on nine and eight points respectively.

The Bundesliga table-toppers were convincing 3-0 winners over Karpaty Lviv in the other Group J fixture, with Shinji Kagawa, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet.

Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool left Bucharest with a share of the spoils after Milan Jovanovic’s 19th-minute opener was cancelled out by an Eder Bonfim equaliser which came after a Pepe Reina error.

Liverpool cannot be overtaken at the top of Group K after an Edinson Cavani hat-trick gave Napoli a 3-3 draw against Utrecht in Holland.

Besiktas also sealed a knockout stages berth on Thursday, joining Porto as the side to progress from Group L.

The Turkish club qualified thanks to a 2-1 win at CSKA Sofia, while Porto, who had already qualified heading into their match in Austria, romped to a 3-1 triumph over Rapid Vienna thanks to a Radamel Falcao hat-trick.

In Group D, a double to former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi handed Villarreal a 3-0 triumph over Dinamo Zagreb, while Stefan Scepovic’s 89th-minute equaliser for Club Brugge saw them draw 1-1 with PAOK Salonika.

Villarreal top the group with nine points while PAOK and Dinamo Zagreb, who play each other on the final Matchday, are on eight and seven points respectively.

A 2-2 draw at Palermo was enough to book Sparta Prague’s spot in the Round of 32, with Juraj Kucka’s 62nd-minute equaliser ensuring their progress from Group F alongside CSKA Moscow, who kept their 100 percent record alive with a 5-1 rout of Lausanne Sports.

Dynamo Kiev sealed their qualification with a 4-1 victory over BATE Borisov, who also progress from Group E. AZ Alkmaar and Sherriff were eliminated after playing out a will 1-1 draw in Moldova.