Brighton 1-0 Marseille: Joao Pedro scores astonishing late winner to send Roberto De Zerbi’s side into the last 16 of the Europa League… and helps them AVOID February play-off against Champions League dropout
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João Pedro’s sixth goal in Brighton’s first European campaign secured their place in the last 16 of the competition and ended their disappointment at Marseille.
For 88 minutes, it looked like Roberto de Zerbi’s side were headed for an awkward playoff run in February.
But in the final minutes the Brazilian striker struck, collecting a pass in a tight space, placing the ball on his right foot and firing a shot high into the goal.
Solemn celebrations followed. Brighton became the Europa League side and Pedro was their spearhead.
Brighton needed to win, but Marseille went for the points, defended deep, ran out the clock when they could and went on the counter-attack to good effect.
It was a late performance at the Amex when Joao Pedro scored the goal Brighton needed to top Group B.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are in the last 16 and have beaten European regulars Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens despite this being their first European campaign.
The French hit the post twice and were minutes away when Pedro found a way to break their resistance.
Brighton’s European campaign broke out in October in Marseille. After losing the first leg at home to AEK Athens, they were beaten 2-0 at the Stade Velodrome before coming back from within a point to win the next three games to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Marseille also qualified, but the prize for winning the group is significant as it avoids a play-off round between the second-placed teams against the third-placed teams in the Champions League groups.
With this in mind, both managers picked strong teams and Brighton established a good early rhythm and dominated the first half, Billy Gilmour dictating the pace from midfield and both strikers enjoying the space behind the full-backs.
Simon Adringra struck the first blow of the match for the home team, firing a shot from the right onto his left foot. Kaoru Mitoma repeated the course of the second battle. Pau Lopez could not resist either.
In between, Marseille gave their hosts a scare when they hit the woodwork following a deflection from full-back Jonathan Clauss, who clipped Pascal Gross, flew high over goalkeeper Jason Steele and caught the crossbar on the way down. Brighton managed to jump to safety.
Opposition centre-forwards João Pedro and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang entered the game as the tournament’s top scorers. They scored five goals in their first five games, but chances were few.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Aubameyang, who scored three goals against Ajax in his last Europa League game, appears to be worried about his injury and needs treatment. Pedro entered the fray as half-time approached.
He had one chance when Gross knocked him out with a cross just before the break. Pedro turned away from his guardian, but was unable to strike with sufficient force. Once again, Lopez fell to the left and made the save.
This pattern continued in the second half. Marseille took little risk and upset the hosts. Brighton’s players threatened but failed to find a breakthrough. Lopez saved from Gilmour and Adingra took advantage of a great chance created by Mitoma.
Then another warning: Marseille shot on target again. This time Amin Harith burst into space and struck Steele with a low shot that hit the base of the post, ricocheted at the goalkeeper and Jan-Paul van Hecke fired wide before Aubameyang could pounce.
Clauss went close again as the game relaxed and Marseille substitute Iliman Ndiaye, a summer signing from Sheffield United, shone.
De Zerbi made changes in search of a winner. They will return to Europe in March but will now return to the Premier League with Arsenal followed by a derby against Crystal Palace on Sunday.