Zenit bow out, Benfica progress

Zenit St Petersburg crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night despite beating Basle, while Benfica saw off Bordeaux.

Last Updated: 14/03/13 at 23:16 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Europa League. Click here to bet.

Axel Witsel: Scored for Zenit St Petersburg on the night

Axel Witsel: Scored for Zenit St Petersburg on the night

Ten-man Basle produced a desperate defensive display to book their place in the quarter-finals at the expense of a wasteful Zenit, who won 1-0 on the night.

Basle goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved a late penalty from Roman Shirokov and the hosts hit a post and missed an open goal as they threw all they had at their opponents, but a tie-levelling second goal eluded them.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Zenit halved the deficit after half an hour through Axel Witsel and things looked to be going their way when Basle had Marcelo Diaz sent off for two yellow cards just before half-time.

But the Swiss champions defended superbly after the break, limiting Zenit to just a handful of clear-cut chances to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Benfica eased into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 3-2 victory over Bordeaux, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

With the comfort of a 1-0 lead from the first leg, the Portuguese withstood Bordeaux's early attacks before snatching a lead through Jardel's header.

Cheick Diabate gave the hosts a slither of hope with 16 minutes left but it was extinguished seconds later by Oscar Cardoza as Benfica made certain of the win.

The teams exchanged further goals in the dying seconds, with Jardel scoring an own goal before Cardoza replied instantly with Benfica's third.

Libor Kozak scored twice in the opening 10 minutes and completed a hat-trick late on as Lazio turned on the style behind closed doors to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Armed with a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Germany, Lazio made an ideal start on Thursday night and left Stuttgart's hopes in tatters with a 3-1 second leg triumph.

Tamas Hajnal pulled one back for Stuttgart just after the hour mark, but they needed five. Kozak's third killed off the hopes of even the most optimistic Swabian.

Two extra-time goals by Jose Rondon and Vladimir Dyadyun steered Rubin Kazan into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Levante in Moscow.

Rondon struck in the 99th minute for his fifth goal in the Europa League this season with substitute Dyadyun sealing victory with eight of the 30 extra minutes remaining after Levante had committed men to finding the equaliser which would have seen them through on away goals.

Substitute Salih Ucan was the hero as Fenerbahce did enough to squeeze into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 1-1 home draw against Viktoria Plzen.

The Turkish side were 1-0 winners in the away leg, meaning today's result - secured after Ucan opened the scoring nine minutes after his injury-enforced introduction - was enough.

Vladimar Darida brought the Czech League leaders level just after the hour and David Limbersky hit the post in pursuit of a winner that never came.

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