Fenerbahce secure spot in knockout stage in Europa League

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Fenerbahce secured a berth in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase Thursday with a 2-1 win against Greek Cypriot Administration's AEK Larnaca in an away match.

The Turkish football club from Istanbul got the narrow win at Larnaca's AEK Arena as Italian forward Joao Pedro scored the opener. Belgium's Michy Batshuayi successfully converted a late penalty for the Yellow Canaries.

AEK Larnaca's Ivan Trickovski scored from the penalty spot in minute 52.

AEK Larnaca's defender Angel Garcia was sent off after being booked for a second time in the 85th minute for a foul on Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi.

Fenerbahce forward Enner Valencia missed an opportunity to increase the lead when he missed from the penalty spot.

Fenerbahce is atop Group B with 10 points and leading on goal average after four matches.

Following a 1-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv from Ukraine in Poland's Krakow, Rennes also have 10 points in the group.

The French club is in second place.

AEK Larnaca have three points. Dynamo Kyiv is at the bottom of the group with zero points.

AEK Larnaca and Dynamo Kyiv still have a chance to qualify for the third-tier UEFA Europa Conference League.

Fenerbahce will take on Rennes in Istanbul on Oct. 27 in the next fixture. The match may shape the top of Group B.

The winners in each group from A-H will advance to the Europa League Round of 16.

The runners-up will play a knockout round playoff with eight third-placed clubs in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

The draw features 16 teams in the playoffs, which will be played before the last 16.

Eight third-placed teams in the Europa League group stage will make their way to the third-tier UEFA Europa Conference League's playoffs.

- Results:

Feyenoord - Midtjylland: 2-2

Bodo/Glimt - Arsenal: 0-1

Dynamo Kyiv - Rennes: 0-1

AEK Larnaca - Fenerbahce: 1-2

Real Betis - Roma: 1-1

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise - Braga: 3-3

Nantes - Freiburg: 0-4

Qarabag - Olympiacos: 0-0