Liverpool survive scare as Roma, Shakhtar crash

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PARIS, Feb 25, 2010 (AFP) - Liverpool survived a big scare against Romanian underdogs Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night before securing a 3-1 victory that takes them into the Europa League round of 16.

Serie A giants Roma, however, crashed out of the competition after losing 3-2 at home to Greek side Panathinaikos, while reigning UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk were eliminated by English Premier League side Fulham.

Liverpool led 1-0 on aggregate following a tense first leg at Anfield last week but fell behind in the 19th minute at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest when Joao Bruno Fernandes rose above a statuesque away defence to convert Razvan Paduretu's corner with a firm header.

Rafael Benitez's side drew level 11 minutes later, though, with Javier Mascherano dispatching a fierce 25-yard effort into the bottom-left corner.

Dutch winger Ryan Babel completed the turnaround four minutes before the interval with a deft control and finish before captain Steven Gerrard swept home early in the second period to seal victory.

"I think it was a difficult game and the pitch was terrible so we knew it could be tough and very demanding for the players," said Benitez, who also revealed that centre-back Martin Skrtel had sustained a suspected broken toe.

"We conceded a goal and we then had to be calm and just keep playing our game."

Roma had seen a 20-match unbeaten run come to an end when they lost 3-2 at Panathinaikos in the first leg but they drew level on aggregate in the 11th minute at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to a trademark free-kick by John Arne Riise.

The visitors took control of the tie in a dazzling six-minute spell prior to the break, with Djibril Cisse -- the match-winner in the first leg -- scoring twice either side of a fine effort by Sotiris Ninis.

Daniele De Rossi replied in vain for Roma in the second half.

"We wanted to do our best, the stadium was full but, unfortunately, there were a few minutes of madness, like in Athens," said Roma coach Claudio Ranieri, whose side are currently third in Serie A.

Fulham produced perhaps the shock of the evening after securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar to set up a last-16 meeting with either Juventus or Ajax.

Holding a slim 2-1 advantage going into the game, Fulham weathered heavy pressure from their hosts before grabbing a crucial away goal in the 33rd minute when Brede Hangeland headed home Damien Duff's free-kick.

Rodrigues Jadson drew Mircea Lucescu's men level 21 minutes from time but, despite dominating the second half, they could not muster a goal to force extra time.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, needed a last-minute goal from star striker Diego Forlan to win 2-1 at Galatasaray and snatch a 3-2 victory over both legs.

Elsewhere, Hamburg went through on away goals despite losing 3-2 at PSV Eindhoven in a game in which both sides finished with 10 men, Anderlecht thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 to progress 5-1 on aggregate and Marseille completed a 6-2 aggregate victory over FC Copenhagen.

"I'm pleased with the result," said Marseille coach Didier Deschamps.

"It was a good evening, with no injuries, and we were able to keep some players warm on the bench."

In Thursday's 2005GMT kick-offs, Juventus take a 2-1 lead into their home game with Ajax, while Valencia will attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Belgian side Club Brugge and last season's beaten finalists Werder Bremen host FC Twente trailing 1-0.

Liverpool will face the winner of the tie between Lille and Fenerbahce, with Panathinaikos awaiting whichever side prevails in the Standard Liege-Red Bull Salzburg clash.

Benfica, who defeated Hertha Berlin 4-0 on Tuesday to round off a 5-1 aggregate win, will play Marseille.