Brighton 1-0 Marseille: Late Joao Pedro winner puts Brighton in Europa League last 16
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Joao Pedro scored an 88th-minute winner
Joao Pedro said scoring an 88th-minute winner to help Brighton advance to the Europa League last 16 stage "was the best moment" of his life.
Victory was needed to leapfrog their opponents Marseille and finish first in Group B, as well as to avoid having to navigate the Europa League knockout play-off round.
It looked as if Roberto De Zerbi's side would be held to a drab goalless draw, but Pedro picked up the ball in Marseille's box, expertly created space for himself and then drove a shot into the top corner.
Pedro is the top scorer in the Europa League this season with six goals in six group matches and celebrated wildly with the home supporters after his late winner.
"I'm very happy, these are the best moments of my life," Pedro told TNT Sports. "Thank you to my team-mates, they always support me.
"I'm very happy to be top scorer in the Europa League. To be top of the table, in the league or top scorer, you need to keep going through hard work."
Victory means Brighton will next be in European action in March 2024. The first legs of the play-offs will be played on 15 February 2024, with the second legs on 22 February.
The draw for the round of 16 will be held on 23 February, with the first legs played on 7 March and the second legs taking place on 14 March.
Marseille will also be in the knockout play-off round and face a side who finished third in the Champions League group stages.
'We want to dream' - De Zerbi
Brighton manager De Zerbi was equally joyous at full-time.
"I lost my voice, I lost everything," he told TNT Sports. "It was an amazing game. We deserved to reach the top of the table.
"This is the best moment in my time [here]. We will play two games less. We want to dream. We want to prepare for that game for our best to win another step."
Having started the final round of group matches one point behind Marseille, only a win for Brighton would have helped them avoid a potentially difficult play-off tie.
But for 87 minutes their French opponents, who are sixth in Ligue 1 having won each of their past four league fixtures, defended with discipline and created the match's better chances.
They struck the bar early in the first half when Jonathan Clauss' shot deflected off Pascal Gross and looped over Brighton keeper Jason Steele, only to bounce out off the woodwork.
And, after the restart, Amine Harit's low shot hit the base of the Brighton post, but no Marseille player was nearby to tap in the rebound.
The Seagulls, despite dominating possession, had been limited to half chances with Pedro meeting a low cross with a driven effort off target and Billy Gilmour having a shot from range easily saved.
Evan Ferguson came close late on minutes before Pedro's winner when his powerful strike from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
In Group B's other game Ajax beat AEK Athens to climb above the Greek side in third, but they drop into the Europa Conference League play-off round.
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