In the penultimate match week of the Europa League's first league phase, English sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur edged closer to cementing a top eight finish on Thursday with wins against Rangers and Hoffenheim, respectively. Elsewhere, Olympique Lyonnais remained ranked between the two Premier League teams in fifth place after a tense draw with Istanbul, while Italian side Lazio remained top of the standings, becoming the first team to qualify for the round of 16.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a last-gasp winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Rangers in the Europa League group stage on Thursday and Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min struck twice in his team's 3-2 win at Hoffenheim.

United climbed to fourth in the standings on 15 points going into the last round of matches, in a strong position to reach the knockout phase along with Spurs who are sixth with 14 points.

The English side broke the deadlock early in the second half when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland misjudged a Christian Eriksen corner, sending the ball into his own net.

Rangers fought back with an equaliser from substitute Cyril Dessers two minutes from time before Fernandes struck in added time to give United all three points.

In Germany, James Maddison opened the scoring for Spurs in the third minute and Son doubled the lead in a first half the visitors dominated.

(Reuters)

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