Europa League round-up: Lazio on the charge

Lazio are level at the top of the Europa League table with Athletic Bilbao on 16 points after a 3-1 win at Ajax.

Anderlecht are third after a 2-1 win at Slavia Prague, while Lyon edged out Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 to sit fourth and PAOK thrashed Ferencvaros 5-0 in Thessaloniki to boost their play-off hopes.

The top eight qualify directly to the Round of 16, with the teams placed ninth to 24th going into a two-legged playoff.

Matchday 6 🍿✅#UEL pic.twitter.com/XbDhTEobgd

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 12, 2024

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and veteran Pedro were on target for Lazio, while substitute Sergio Pena equalized in stoppage time for Malmo as they held unbeaten Galatasaray 2-2. The Turkish club are sixth in the standings.

Roma showed signs of improvement by beating Braga 3-0 for a second straight victory that came after the struggling club earned its first win under new coach Claudio Ranieri, 4-1 over visiting Lecce in Serie A.

Braga goalkeeper Matheus received a red card in the 68th minute with the score at 2-0.