Baku: Fiorentina moved into the knockout stage of the Europa League from the first place in Group J after beating Azerbaijan's Qarabag 2-1 on Thursday.
Matias Vecino's first goal of the season put Fiorentina 1-0 up an hour in, and substitute forward Reynaldo levelled in the 73rd. But three minutes later, Federico Chiesa netted the winner.
PAOK finished second in the group after a 2-0 win over Slovan Liberec through goals from Garry Rodrigues and Dimitris Pelkas.
OTHER ACTION
Newcomer Osmanlispor made the round of 32 by beating Zurich 2-0 and finishing top of Group L.
Spanish side Villarreal was also through after beating Steaua 2-1, trailing Turkey's Osmanlispor by one point.
Group H winner Shakhtar Donetsk completed its perfect group stage record with a 4-2 away victory at Braga. Captain Taison and defender Serhiy Kryvtsov had two goals each. KAA Gent advanced with a 1-0 win at last place Konyaspor.
QUALIFIED BEFORE
Thirteen other clubs made the knockout stage in the previous rounds: Four sides already qualified with two matches to spare, including four-time European Cup winner Ajax, St. Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke. Roma, Anderlecht, APOEL, Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Krasnodar, Olympiakos, Saint-Etienne and Sparta Prague made it through after five matches.
Eight other teams who played in the Champions League and finished third in their groups secured a consolation spot in the Europa League: Besiktas, Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw, Ludogorets, Lyon, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Rostov, and Tottenham.
REMAINING
The last six spots left will be decided in the final 18 group stage matches later Thursday.
Among others, Manchester United needs at least a draw at bottom side Zorya to advance.