Ajax strike back to go through

Martin Jol's Ajax booked their place in the knockout phase courtesy of a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at nine-man FC Timisoara - despite missing two second-half penalties.

Dorin Goga stunned the visitors with the game's first goal inside two minutes but Luis Suarez equalised six minutes later and Marko Pantelic put the Amsterdam giants ahead soon after the restart.

Defender Eder Bonfim and goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon were both given their marching orders in the second half. Suarez saw both the resulting penalties saved but Timisoara could not capitalise.

The outcome left Jol's side three points clear of second-placed Anderlecht, whose qualification for the knockout phase is by no means assured following their 1-0 defeat at home to Dinamo Zagreb.

Valencia moved into pole position in Group B thanks to a 3-1 home triumph over Lille.

Joaquin netted inside three minutes and then doubled the lead after 32 minutes, with the impressive Juan Mata wrapping up victory seven minutes after half-time. Franck Beria scored a consolation in injury-time.

The Spaniards began the match a point behind their opponents but head into their final group game against Genoa two points clear of both after the Italians could only draw 0-0 at Slavia Prague.

Marcell Jansen and Marcus Berg were on target as Hamburg advanced with a 2-0 home victory over Rapid Vienna in Group C. Jansen opened the scoring after 47 minutes and Berg doubled the hosts' advantage six minutes later as Hamburg set aside their Bundesliga woes with a solid victory.

Hamburg's win also ensured Hapoel Tel Aviv's progress and spelt the end of the European road for Celtic, despite the Scottish side's 2-0 victory over the Israeli outfit at Parkhead.

Greece striker Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the lead midway through the first half and Barry Robson added the second from a free-kick after the break as the Hoops ran out deserved winners.