PARIS (AFP) – AC Milan overcame a spirited Rennes 5-3 on aggregate despite a 3-2 loss in yesterday’s play-off round second leg to reach the Europa League last 16, where they will be joined by fellow former European champions Benfica and Marseille.
Benjamin Bourigeaud scored a hat-trick for Rennes, including a pair of penalties, but goals from Luka Jovic and Rafael Leao ensured Milan were never really in danger of blowing a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Benfica also saw off French opposition as a 0-0 draw away to Toulouse was enough to send the Portuguese side through following their 2-1 victory in last week’s first leg in Lisbon.
Lens, who dropped down from the Champions League into the knockout play-off round, became the third French club to go out after Freiburg fought back from two goals down to win 3-2 after extra time.
Marseille kept French interest in the competition alive as they came from behind to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5-3 on aggregate after a 3-1 victory at the Velodrome.
Last season’s runners-up Roma edged Feyenoord 4-2 on penalties in the Italian capital after 1-1 draws in both legs. Meanwhile, Qarabag, 4-2 winners last week away to Braga, blew a two-goal advantage after being reduced to 10 men as their Portuguese opponents took the tie to extra time in Baku.
Sporting progressed 4-2 on aggregate despite a 1-1 draw at home to Swiss champions Young Boys.
Sparta Prague overturned a 3-2 first-leg deficit by scoring three times after Galatasaray’s Kaan Ayhan saw red to win the return fixture 4-1 at home. While, Ajax scraped past Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt after extra time to reach the Europa Conference League last 16.
