RB Leipzig into Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Zenit

RB Leipzig has qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Zenit St. Petersburg over two legs.

A 1-1 draw at Krestovsky Stadium on Thursday secured passage for the German side following its 2-1 home victory, for a 3-2 aggregate win.

It was far from an assured result, however, as Zenit tried its best to force added time as the regulation 90 minutes dwindled away. Goals from Jean-Kevin Augustin and Sebastian Driussi kept the teams deadlocked through the entirety of the second half, and Timo Werner's missed penalty preserved the draw.

However, Werner's goal in the first leg at Red Bull Arena ultimately helped prove the difference, as his 77th-minute effort in that game, following Bruma's opener, gave his side a 2-1 advantage heading into the return match. Zenit had hoped to build on Domenico Criscito's 86th-minute away goal, but couldn't find that precious third to force extra time in Saint Petersburg.

For Leipzig, progression to the quarter-final stage is already an impressive return in the club's first-ever foray into European football, and sees it become the first German outfit to make it this far in continental competition in its debut season since Karlsruher SC's similar run in the 1993-94 campaign.