Tottenham's Erik Lamela celebrates scoring their third goal and completing his hat-trick with Clinton Njie. PHOTO: REUTERS
However, the two English representatives — who will be joined in the draw for the next round by Manchester United after their Champions League exit — concluded their group stage campaigns in contrasting fashion.
Enjoying an excellent campaign in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur clinched top spot in Group J by outclassing Monaco with a 4-1 win at White Hart Lane.
Erik Lamela was the hero, netting a hat-trick before Stephan El Shaarawy got one back for the visitors.
Tom Carroll added the fourth goal for Tottenham late on, and they go through with Anderlecht, who beat Qarabag 2-1 in Brussels in the night’s other game.
Meanwhile, last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists Monaco are out of Europe altogether.
Liverpool advanced to the knockout stages as winners of their group after a 0-0 draw with Sion in the bitter chill of Switzerland.
La Viola progress in second place in Group I behind Swiss club Basel, who were 1-0 winners away to Lech Poznan.
Augsburg joined fellow Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Schalke in advancing by virtue of a 3-1 success against Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.
Schalke ended the group stage unbeaten after a 4-0 victory away to Asteras Tripolis in Group K but already qualified Dortmund lost 1-0 at home to PAOK in Group C.
The German trio will be joined in the last 32 by Bayer Leverkusen.
Celtic finished without a win in Group A, while other sides to go through were Midtjylland of Denmark, Marseille, Lokomotiv Moscow and Sporting Lisbon.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2015.
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