(REUTERS) - Olympiakos Piraeus pulled off a stunning 3-1 Europa League win over AC Milan that put them into the last 32 and sent the Italians crashing out as the remaining places in the knockout stage were decided on Thursday (Dec 13).
All the goals in Greece came in a thrilling second half, with Milan defender Cristian Zapata scoring an own goal to make it 2-0 to Olympiakos in the 70th minute, before he pulled one back for his side two minutes later.
Yet Milan's defensive frailty was punished when Konstantinos Fortounis scored from the penalty spot in the 81st minute to give his side the win that left them second in Group F on 10 points.
They edged out the seven-time European champions on goal difference and progressed along with group winners Real Betis.
Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso said his team had nobody to blame but themselves.
"We gifted the game to Olympiakos," he said. "We made fools of ourselves ... We were too naive and allowed Olympiakos to get back into the game. We are very upset because we always make the same mistakes again and again."
Swedish side Malmo pulled off one of the bigger shocks of the round, winning 1-0 away to 10-man Besiktas to finish runners-up behind Genk in Group I.
Besiktas' Ricardo Quaresma was given a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Franz Brorsson in the second half.
Bayer Leverkusen demolished AEK Larnaca 5-1 to finish top of Group A, with FC Zurich finishing runners-up following a 1-1 draw with Ludogorets.
Group C winners Zenit St Petersburg were comfortably beaten 2-0 away by Slavia Prague, who claimed the runners-up spot, rendering Bordeaux's 1-0 win away to FC Copenhagen meaningless as both sides went out.
Celtic, who were beaten 2-1 at home by a Salzburg side that had already secured top spot in Group B, needed a helping hand from Rosenborg.
The Norwegians secured a 1-1 draw at home to RB Leipzig that knocked out the German side and sent the Scottish champions through.
Despite a 3-0 thumping by Sevilla, Krasnodar made it out of Group J as Standard Liege could only manage a scoreless draw away to Turkish side Akhisar.
They will be joined in next Monday's draw for the knockout stage by Villarreal, Rapid Vienna, Dynamo Kiev and Stade Rennais.
Vincent Kompany has revealed that he is to leave Manchester City after an incredible 11 years at the Club. The Belgium defender signed from Hamburg on 22 August 2008, a day etched in the minds of City supporters across the world.
City are the best: Kompany | Sports-Life-News
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Kompany said he realised the time was right to leave when he scored a stunning winner against Leicester in City's penultimate league match. The 1-0 win took City to within one more win of the title, which they clinched with a 4-1 victory over Brighton on the last day.
'The best club': Kompany bids farewell to Man City after open
Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including racism. Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken.
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel with the rest of their squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion having nearly recovered
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> Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at City's Raheem Sterling during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City, at St James' Park, in Newcastle, Britain
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BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he views Atletico Madrid as a greater threat to his side winning La Liga this season than Real Madrid. Atletico, who play Getafe on Saturday, sit five points behind Barca in the table while Real's stuttering campaign means they are already 10 adrift of the league leaders.
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"The boss knows how happy I am to be here and I am grateful to him," Morata said. "We want to qualify as soon as possible for the Euros so it was important to win today." Malta lie 182nd in FIFA's world rankings, between Liechtenstein and Macau.
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
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