Published>Fri, Dec 03 10 03:07 AM
Liverpool, Paris St Germain and Besiktas reached the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday in contrasting fashions.
Freezing temperatures continued across Europe but the hardy souls who braved the weather were treated to a flurry of goals.
Paris St Germain sealed their passage to February's last 32 with a 4-2 home romp over Sevilla, who must fight it out against Borussia Dortmund for the second qualification spot when they meet the Germans in the final Group J game on Dec. 15.
Dortmund moved a point behind Sevilla with a 3-0 win over Karpaty Lviv.
Besiktas went through from Group L following a tight 2-1 win at CSKA Sofia while Rapid Vienna went down 3-1 to Porto, who had already secured their progression.
Milan Jovanovic, little used in the Premier League, put Liverpool in front at Steaua Bucharest with a powerful first-half header and although Eder Bonfim equalised, the point was enough to send the five-times European champions through.
Goals flowed in the other Group K game where Uruguay World Cup striker Edinson Cavani grabbed a hat-trick in Napoli's 3-3 draw in Utrecht, where forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel also scored twice for the hosts in vain.
The draw kept the Italians in the hunt as they lie two points behind Steaua ahead of a final home game against the Romanians on Dec. 15.
Already-qualified CSKA Moscow celebrated Russia winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup with a 5-1 home thrashing of eliminated Lausanne with Tomas Necid netting a brace.
Palermo were hosting Sparta Prague in the other Group F game with Group E and D fixtures also taking place.
Groups A-C and G-I played on Wednesday with twice European champions Juventus the biggest name to go crashing out.
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