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Europa League: Milan, Atletico cruise to last 16; Arsenal avoids scare

Denis Doyle / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Europa League picture is becoming ever clearer.

The round of 32 is now in the books, and most of the tournament favourites remain in the draw. Arsenal escaped a potential disaster, while Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Zenit St. Petersburg eased past their opponents.

Here's the scene after Thursday's Europa League action:

Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 Nice (4-2 on agg.)

Nice's floundering season took another turn for the worse after capitulating to surprise package Lokomotiv Moscow. It wasn't for a lack of effort - Mario Balotelli struck the post twice within the first half-hour at the Lokomotiv Stadium - but Les Aiglons again disappointed in Europe.

Related: Lokomotiv Moscow holds off Nice to reach Europa League last 16

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Copenhagen (5-1 on agg.)

Kevin Gameiro proved the difference-maker in this tie, scoring once in each leg to help Atletico to a lopsided victory over Copenhagen. The Frenchman was considered an afterthought earlier in the season, but has since crowbarred his way into Diego Simeone's lineup.

RB Leipzig 0-2 Napoli (3-3 on agg.)

Napoli bade adieu to Europe following a valiant effort versus RB Leipzig. A 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena wasn't enough for the Partenopei, whose sloppiness in the first leg ultimately cost them a chance at a first European trophy since 1989. Leipzig advanced on away goals.

Related: Napoli left to focus on Scudetto race after Europa League exit in Leipzig

Zenit St. Petersburg 3-0 Celtic (3-1 on agg.)

All of Celtic's industry in the first leg came undone Thursday, with goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Daler Kuzyaev, and Aleksandr Kokorin sending Zenit to the next round.

Villarreal 0-1 Lyon (1-4 on agg.)

The bulk of Lyon's work was done a week ago at home, with the French side building on a 3-1 aggregate lead at Villarreal to reach the round of 16.

AC Milan 1-0 Ludogorets (4-0 on agg.)

Gennaro Gattuso's charges are now 11 matches unbeaten after thwarting Ludogorets at the San Siro. Fabio Borini scored his third goal in three matches to give Milan some breathing room.

Arsenal 1-2 Ostersunds FK (4-2 on agg.)

Momentarily pegged back by Swedish minnow Ostersunds FK, Arsenal avoided the embarrassment of losing a 3-0 aggregate lead at the Emirates. The Gunners still lost on the night, but Sead Kolasinac, who's struggled to get regular minutes under Arsene Wenger, ensured their progress with a smart finish in the second half.

Atalanta 1-1 Borussia Dortmund (3-4 on agg.)

Football can be very cruel. Atalanta looked poised to beat Borussia Dortmund until Marcel Schmelzer jumped on a fortuitous ball to decide the tie. Having won the first leg 3-2, Dortmund got the draw it needed to progress. Atalanta had carried the advantage on away goals for the majority of Thursday's second leg, but Schmelzer's 83rd-minute tally ended the Italian side's first European campaign in 26 years.

Related: Schmelzer's late goal breaks Atalanta hearts, sends Dortmund into last 16

Elsewhere:

  • CSKA Moscow 1-0 Red Star Belgrade (1-0 on agg.)
  • Dynamo Kyiv 0-0 AEK Athens (1-1 on agg.)
  • Lazio 5-1 FCSB (5-2 on agg.)
  • Sporting CP 3-3 Astana (6-4 on agg.)
  • Viktoria Plzen 2-0 FK Partizan (3-1 on agg.)
  • Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Spartak Moscow (4-3 on agg.)
  • Braga 1-0 Marseille (1-3 on agg.)
  • Salzburg 2-1 Real Sociedad (4-3 on agg.)

The draw for the round of 16 will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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