One step closer: Monaco and Celtic among sides through to Champions League play-offs

Radamel Falcao scored before coming off injured as Monaco beat Fenerbahce, while Celtic needed a late penalty from French striker Moussa Dembele to see off the side from Kazakhstan

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Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring a goal against Fenerbahce. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:45pm, 4 Aug 2016

Radamel Falcao scored before coming off injured as Monaco beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday, while Celtic also advanced to the play-offs in dramatic fashion against Astana.

Monaco played host to the Turkish side at the Stade Louis II looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg and they wasted little time in opening the scoring before going to win 3-1 on the night and progress to the play-offs.

Falcao, wearing the captain’s armband, played in strike partner Valere Germain and his shot beat goalkeeper Ertugrul Taskiran low at his near post to give Monaco a third minute lead.

The hosts then won a penalty when Nabil Dirar was brought down by Hasan Ali Kaldirim and Falcao, who had scored in the first leg, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to make it 2-0 in the 18th minute.

Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko (right) and teammate Nabil Dirar vies with Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike. Photo: AFP

However, the Colombian then came off with a hamstring injury just before the interval and Fenerbahce fought back after the break.