Celta de Vigo and Sparta Prague advanced to the final 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, eliminating esteemed clubs Lazio and four-time former winner Ajax from European competition.
Former Spanish international Jose Ignacio Saenz scored in the 71st minute to lead Celta to a 2-1 win against a depleted AC Milan squad. Defending champion Milan had already qualified top of Group H. Brugge’s 2-1 win over Ajax sent the Dutch out of the competition and the Belgians into the second-tier Uefa Cup.
In Group H, Sparta Prague substitute Marek Kincl scored in second-half injury time for a 1-0 win over Lazio. With Chelsea beating Turkish club 2-0 Besiktas in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, the Czechs took the second spot. Besiktas finished third.
”We had the match under control, but we missed a lot of scoring opportunities,” Lazio coach Roberto Mancini said.
”I wanted more concentration. I’m very angry, it was our duty to do more.”
Manchester United beat Stuttgart 2-0 at Old Trafford to win Group E, but Rangers fell 3-1 at home to Panathinaikos to send the Greeks into the Uefa Cup.
In Spain, an unfamiliar Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Porto to win Group F, but both clubs had already qualified. Marseilles finished third with a 1-1 draw at Partizan Belgrade.
Other clubs through are Monaco and Juventus. The other six clubs to reach the second round will be determined Wednesday. The draw for the next stage is made Friday in Nyon, Switzerland. — Sapa-AP