Lazio overcame Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night, securing their progression to the knockout stages of this season’s Europa League.
Antonio Candreva put the Serie A side ahead with less than five minutes on the clock, before the Ukrainians levelled the scoreline soon after the hour mark through Bruno Gama. That didn’t last long however, with Marco Parolo putting his team back in front before Filip Djordjevic made it three.
The visitors had the first threatening shot of the match with a Danilo effort that fizzed just wide of the goal after he picked up the ball from a corner.
Despite that, the Italians took the lead just a minute later thanks to Candreva picking up on a through ball after a quick burst of pace from the team, and the 28-year-old tucked it into the back of the net.
The game died down a bit after that with both sides attacking but not being accurate enough in front of goal, with the biggest chance falling to Miroslav Klose outside the area on the half hour mark, but the attacker’s attempt was too high.
Dnipro got their equaliser after 65 minutes when Lazio’s defence managed to block an initial shot, but the rebound fell to Bruno Gama and he drilled the ball into the bottom right hand corner to make it all square again.
Just minutes later and Stefano Pioli’s men were back in front, with a very kind deflection, handing Marco Parolo his first European goal of the season from outside the box.
Deep into stoppage time they got their third when Filip Djordjevic was found in space after a poor clearance and he comfortably slotted the ball home.
The win for the Italians puts them through to the next round of the competition, while last year’s Europa League finalists Dnipro are now knocked out after losing.
