Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2108223/everton-and-milan-advance-join-arsenal-uefa-europa-league-draw
Sport/ Football

Everton and Milan advance to join Arsenal in Uefa Europa League draw

Gylfi Sigurdsson scores from 45 meters to ensure Toffees advance

Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates scoring against Hajduk Split. Photo: Reuters

Starting his first game after a £45 million (HK$450.8 million) transfer, Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from 45 meters to ensure Everton advanced to the Europa League group stage on Thursday.

Sigurdsson struck less than 15 seconds into the second half to bring Everton level on 1-1 at Hajduk Split and advance from the play-off round with a 3-1 victory on aggregate. The Iceland midfielder completed his move from Swansea last week.

AC Milan had a more comfortable evening to book their place in the 48-team group-stage draw on Friday in Monaco.

Leading 6-0 from the first leg last week, Milan won 1-0 in Macedonia against Shkendija.

Former European champions had contrasting fortunes.
Hajduk Split’s Josip Radosevic scores past Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Photo: Reuters
Hajduk Split’s Josip Radosevic scores past Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Photo: Reuters

Marseille, the 1993 Champions League winners, beat Domzale 3-1 to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 European champions, beat visiting Krasnodar 2-1 to advance having scored more goals away from home with the two-leg series tied at 4-4.

However, four-time European champions Ajax were ousted from both Uefa competitions in August.

Transferring to the Europa League play-offs after elimination in the Champions League third qualifying round, Ajax lost at Rosenborg 3-2 after a 1-0 loss in the home leg.

Coach Roberto Mancini avoided an early exit for his Zenit St. Petersburg team. The 2008 Uefa Cup winner needed extra time to beat Utrecht 2-0 and overturn a one-goal loss from the first leg.
AC Milan supporters during the Uefa Europa League play-off second leg match against KF Shkendija. Photo: EPA
AC Milan supporters during the Uefa Europa League play-off second leg match against KF Shkendija. Photo: EPA

Dynamo Kiev, who also moved across from the Champions League, advanced beating Maritimo 3-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal, Lazio and Villarreal are among the clubs that had direct entry to the 48-team group-stage draw in the top-seeded pot.

They are joined by Lyon, who hosts the final on May 16.