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Roma, Lyon into Europa League last 16, Athletic Bilbao bows out

Xinhua, February 24, 2017 Adjust font size:

Roma and Lyon clinched their respective last 16 berths in the Europa League on Thursday, while Athletic Bilbao was shocked by APOEL 2-0 to lose 4-3 on aggregate.

With a four-goal advantage going in to the return leg, Roma players slipped in their defense, as Thomas Vermaelen's bad touch earned Rafael Borre a clear shot at goal from inside the box to break the deadlock in the 15th minute.

However, the hole was too deep for the visitors to climb out. Roma finally made into the next round, while seeing their 16-game unbeaten home run shattered.

Contrary to Roma's lackluster performance, Lyon, who led 4-1 in the first leg, geared up for another lopsided 7-1 win over AZ Alkmaar.

APOEL's matchup against mighty Athletic Bilbao saw a goalless first half, before Pieros Sotiriou shot home on a left pass from Efrain just one minute into the second. Giannis Giannotas scored for a confident APOEL on penalty after he was brought down inside the box in the 54th minute, surprisingly preventing the La Liga side from moving forward.

Tottenham Hotspur, currently ranked third in the Premier League, were also upset with an aggregate 3-2 loss to Gent of Belgium.

Ajax, Olympiacos and Besiktas also found their way ahead. Mourinho-led Manchester United eased through on an aggregate of 4-0 on Wednesday, along with Schalke and Russian outfit Krasnodar.

The draw ceremony for the round of 16 will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. Endit