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Eto’o helps Anzhi into Europa League knockout stage

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Christopher Samba (left) of Anzhi Makhachkala scores the 1-0 lead during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between Anzhi Makhachkala and Udinese Calcio in Moscow on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o scored to help ambitious Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala beat Udinese 2-0 and reach the Europa League knockout stages on Thursday, eliminating the Italians in the process.

Titleholders Atletico Madrid qualified with a 1-0 win over Hapoel Tel Aviv but last season’s runners up Athletic Bilbao, whose game in Israel against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona was postponed for security reasons, were knocked out without playing.

Sparta Prague, Levante, Genk, Lazio, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Fenerbahce, Viktoria Plzen, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Girondins Bordeaux, Newcastle United and Napoli also went through.

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Lazio’s goalless draw at home to Tottenham was played against a backdrop of violence after 10 supporters of the English side were injured in an attack on a Rome pub by dozens of masked men in the early hours of Thursday.

Police said that among 15 Italians detained were two fans of AS Roma, Lazio’s bitter rivals, who were charged with violence and grievous bodily harm.

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Lazio were fined US$52,400 by UEFA last month for racist chanting by their fans at the first game in London which also ended goalless.

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