Europa League round-up: Ameobi nets penalty as Newcastle tough it out

Shola Ameobi sent Newcastle into the last 16 of the Europa League from the penalty spot last night as the Magpies kept their cool in icy Ukraine, winning the second leg 1-0 after last week’s goalless draw.

Ameobi’s 15th European goal – only Alan Shearer has scored more for the club – came after midfielder Moussa Sissoko had been tripped by goalkeeper Olexandr Goryainov.

The striker calmly converted from 12 yards to silence a packed house at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv. It was no more than the Magpies, who had two goals disallowed in last week’s first leg on Tyneside, deserved from a spirited display, although goalkeeper Tim Krul, who had denied substitute Willian six minutes later, also had to pull off a stunning double save to keep out Jonathan Cristaldo 13 minutes from time.

Alan Pardew’s men will now turn their attention to securing a second victory in four days when Southampton head for St James’ Park in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday, but knowing they are safely through to the last 16 to face either Anzhi Makhachkala or Hannover.

Newcastle arrived knowing they needed to avoid defeat to at least take the tie into extra time, and that a score draw would send them through. The Tynesiders made the breakthrough with 26 minutes remaining when Sissoko’s industry was finally rewarded.

The midfielder chased down a poor back-pass by defender Papa Gueye and in his efforts to rescue the situation, Goryainov tripped the Newcastle man.

Belgian referee Serge Gumienny pointed straight to the spot and after Sissoko had received treatment, Ameobi kept his nerve to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

His strike was greeted by a deafening silence as the 500 travelling fans celebrated knowing their side had one foot in the last 16.

Holders Atletico Madrid crashed out despite a 1-0 away win in the second leg of their last-32 tie with Rubin Kazan at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

A goal by Radamel Falcao in the 84th minute gave the visitors hope of overturning the two-goal deficit from the first leg at the Vicente Calderon last week.

Yet despite playing with a man extra in the final minutes after Rubin captain Cesar Navas was sent off, the Spanish side were unable to score again.

Inter progressed courtesy of a 5-0 aggregate win over Romanian side Cluj.

Stuttgart progressed with a 2-0 victory at Genk. With the tie poised at 1-1 following the first leg, goals from Arthur Boka and Christian Gentner saw the Germans through.

Basle are also safely into the next stage after a 3-1 aggregate win at Dnipro.