SCOTTISH CHAMPIONS CELTIC withstood a furious fightback from Hapoel Beer-Sheva to reach the Champions League group stage on Tuesday despite a 2-0 defeat in Israel, while Porto beat nine-man Roma 3-0 to advance.
Leading 5-2 from last week’s first play-off leg in Glasgow, Celtic were made to sweat in the Israeli desert with goals from Ben Sahar and Ovidiu Hoban setting up a nervy finish.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ side held on to progress 5-4 on aggregate and qualify for the group stage for the first time in three seasons, with Maharan Radi’s first-half penalty miss proving particularly costly for the Israeli champions.
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Joining Celtic in Thursday’s draw will be two-time former winners Porto after the Portuguese giants punished Roma for their indiscipline in the Italian capital, after the first leg finished 1-1.
Felipe headed Porto into an eighth-minute lead but Roma lost captain Daniele de Rossi to a straight red card before the break after a wild lunge on Maxi Pereira, with Emerson Palmieri dismissed just after half-time following another crude tackle.
Two quick-fire goals from Mexico internationals Miguel Layun and Jesus Corona then rubberstamped Porto’s place in the group stage.
A stoppage time penalty from Fabinho handed Monaco a 3-1 aggregate victory over Villarreal, with Legia Warsaw ending the dreams of Irish champions Dundalk as a 1-1 draw sent the Polish club through 3-1 overall.
Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria advanced 4-2 on aggregate over Viktoria Plzen following a 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic.
On Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will look to finish off Steaua Bucharest after a resounding 5-0 victory in Romania last time out.
© AFP 2016
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