Rejuvenated Mario Balotelli scored a late penalty to seal Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Besiktas in the last 32 of the Europa League, while title contenders Napoli, Wolfsburg and defending champion Sevilla also won first-leg matches on Thursday.
However, Inter Milan were denied victory at Celtic after conceding a goal deep into stoppage time in a 3-3 draw between two former European champions as the continent’s second-tier competition resumed.
Returning to form after a slow start at Liverpool, Balotelli grabbed the ball as captain Jordan Henderson prepared to take the 85th-minute penalty and converted the spot kick himself to settle a tight game at Anfield.
Napoli thrashed Trabzonspor 4-0, in-form Dutch striker Das Bost scored twice in Wolfsburg’s 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon and Sevilla edged past Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-0.
