Fenerbahçe knock Lyon out to reach Champions League league phase

Fenerbahçe got the job done on Wednesday night and knocked Olympique Lyon out of the Champions League with a 2-1 win in the second leg, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory to advance to the league phase. Vedat Muriqi and Archie Brown put the Turkish side in control before the half-hour mark, while Malick Fofana pulled one back for the French team, who fell just short of forcing extra time.

The Istanbul club will be in the draw for Europe's top club competition on Thursday, a ceremony held in Monaco that brings together the 36 qualified teams. Lyon, for their part, bow out of the Champions League and will now focus on domestic competitions.

How Fenerbahçe took control of the tie against Lyon

The contest was largely decided inside the opening half hour. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Fenerbahçe's home ground, the Turkish team came out looking to settle the tie as early as possible and did it with impressive efficiency. Former Mallorca striker Muriqi made no mistake in the 24th minute to open the scoring, and moments later English defender Archie Brown doubled the lead to make it 2-0.

That quick double left Olympique Lyon reeling and facing a mountain to climb. The French reaction eventually arrived past the hour mark when Malick Fofana scored in the 61st minute, but it proved too little too late for a side that had left themselves with too much work to do.

Lyon's late push and the disallowed goals

With the score at 2-1, Lyon pushed hard until the final whistle in search of the goal that would level the tie on aggregate and send it to extra time. The French side found the net twice more, but both efforts were ruled out for offside, ultimately ending their hopes of staying alive in the Champions League.

Lyon's late surge could not find a reward, as Fenerbahçe held their shape defensively and managed the closing stages well. The 2-1 result brought an end to the French club's European campaign after a tie in which they struggled to impose their game across both legs.

Other teams to reach the Champions League league phase: Athens, Viking and Slovan

Wednesday's action did not only confirm Fenerbahçe's progress. Three more clubs booked their place in the Champions League league phase, completing the list of 36 teams that will feature in the Monaco draw.

Athens thrash Levski Sofia with Barnabás Varga double

Athens gave Levski Sofia no chance and cruised to a 4-0 win with a strong team display. Luka Jovic and Razvan Marin got on the scoresheet before Barnabás Varga added a brace to complete an emphatic victory for the Greek side.

Norwegian side Viking eliminate Dinamo Zagreb

Viking made the most of the 2-2 first-leg draw and beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 on the night to advance. Zlatko Tripic opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Edvin Austbo extended the lead early in the second half and Tobias Moi sealed the win in the 50th. Croatian side Dinamo's only goal came from German forward Arber Hoxha, but it was not enough to avoid elimination as they fell 5-3 on aggregate.

Slovan Bratislava also progress

Slovan Bratislava will also be in the draw after beating Hungarian side Celje 2-1. The victory secured their spot in the Champions League league phase and confirmed the full list of 36 participants for the upcoming season.

Champions League draw: date, format and which teams will be in Monaco

The Champions League draw takes place on Thursday in Monaco and will set the fixtures for the league phase, the new format that replaces the traditional group stage. The 36 qualified clubs will learn their opponents in a ceremony that marks the official start of a highly anticipated European campaign.

Fenerbahçe, Athens, Viking and Slovan Bratislava join the clubs that had already secured their place at this stage. The play-off round has left historic sides such as Olympique Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb on the outside looking in as the continent's top competition begins.

Fenerbahçe will be in the Champions League draw on Thursday after beating Lyon 3-2 on aggregate.