Gent's first ever Champions League season will continue in 2016 after they beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 to finish second in Group H.
Laurent Depoitre's opener was cancelled out by Artyom Dzyuba's sixth European goal of the season in the first half.
However, Danijel Milicevic struck 12 minutes from time to ensure Gent's progression and spark wild celebrations in the Ghelamco Arena.
Read how it all unfolded in out blow-by-blow account below.
Hello! Thanks for joining me tonight! Will Gent make history and spoil Gary Neville's Valencia debut? We'll know in just over two hours!
First things first, let's take a glance at the team news.
Gent starting XI: Sels; Asare, Mitrovic, Nielsen; Rafinha, Renato Neto, Kums, Foket, Milicevic; Depoitre, Simon
Zenit starting XI: Lodygin; Anyukov, Criscito, Lombaerts, Luís Neto, Garay; Ryazantsev, Yusupov, Javi García; Danny, Dzyuba
Gent subs: Vandenbussche, Vitas, Coulibaly, Poletanović, Saief, Van der Bruggen, Dejaegere
Zenit subs: Kerzhakov, Ivanov, Zuev, Shatov, Troyanov, Bogaev, Dolgov
Gent have made two changes for tonight's massive tie. Rafinha returns to the side in place of Kenny Saief, while Moses Daddy Simon is preferred to Brecht Dejaeghere is the pocket of space behind lone striker Laurent Depoitre.
As for the visitors, the big news is that Hulk has been rested. The Brazilian attacker hasn't been included in the matchday squad as Andre Villas-Boas takes the opportunity to rest his star man as they are already assured of top spot.
There are four changes to the Zenit side in total, with Aleksandr Anyukov, Aleksandr Ryazantsev, Artur Yusupov and Javi Garcia all earning call-ups to the starting XI.
OK, so here's how things stand in Group H tonight. Gent are above Valencia and will progress to the last 16 as long as they better Valencia's result. Essentially, the Belgians are through if they win.
Although they've already qualified as winners of the group, Zenit have a goal of their own tonight. If they win, they'll be the only side in this season's competition to pick up maximum points from the six group games.
Less than 10 minutes until kickoff, so it's time for me to put my neck on the line! As valiant as Gent have been in the Champions League this season, I don't think they'll have enough to overcome Zenit and I'm going to predict a 1-1 draw. That'll be enough for Gent though, as long as Valencia don't beat Lyon.
Here's a reminder of the lineups!
Teamsheets #gntzen #UCL #COBW #IedereenBuffalo pic.twitter.com/gDQRisK61q
— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) December 9, 2015
KICKOFF: We're off! A huge night for Gent in the Ghelamco Arena.
Dzyuba - who already has five European goals to his name this term - is already putting himself about and Nielsen has to come across to cover inside the first 60 seconds.
Foket earns the hosts a corner with a wicked delivery which Garay puts behind under pressure.
CHANCE! An early opportunity for the hosts as two of Gent's defenders combine. Rafinha flicks the corner on at the near post and Nielsen arrives from deep to attack it on the half-volley six yards out, but he balloons his effort high over the bar!
Gent look up for this! They've charged in to win the ball back off Zenit on a number of occasions already.
An early ball towards Dzyuba almost squeezes through to the frontman, but he's flagged for offside.
Gent have the ball in the back of the net, but Milicevic is offside this time as he squares the ball to Simon.
CHANCE! Danny makes a run down the right flank before cutting inside onto his left foot and sending a cross-cum-shot towards Dzyuba, but the forward is inches away from connecting with the ball just a few yards out.
Gent's desire is impressive and Neto robs Garcia before laying the ball off wide to Milicevic. The attacker's cross finds Simon at the far post, but his volley loses all power as it bounces into the turf and bobbles into the arms of Lodygin.
Both sides are playing with a back three - a rarity in the modern game.
Depoitre is penalised for climbing over Neto as he tries to find Simon with a knockdown. Aside from Danny's breakaway on the right, it's been all Gent so far.
Simon is dragged back by a desperate Neto as he tries to race onto a through ball by Rafinha. The Zenit defender is a little lucky to escape a booking for that cynical foul!
GOAL! (Laurent Depoitre) Gent 1-0 Zenit
Simon stands up a fantastic cross from the byline to Depoitre, who loops an accurate header over Lodygin and inside the far post. That's a great goal and a great start for the hosts!
SAVE! Simon is causing all sorts of problems with his pace and the forward picks out Neto with a cut back, but the midfielder hits his shot into the turf, which allows Lodygin time to get his body behind the effort.
Neto gets forward again and is goalside of Garcia, but the Zenit man rushes back to nod the ball behind for a corner.
Depoitre is in down the right wing, but can't pick out Simon from the byline after skipping by Garay.
CLOSE! Nielsen cuts out Criscito's left-wing cross and slices it just over his own crossbar. A massive sigh of relief from everyone inside the stadium, not least the Gent defender!
UPDATE: Chelsea and Arsenal both lead 1-0 in their games this evening. A good start for the English sides!
Danny thumps an ambitious through ball much too far ahead of Ryazantsev and the Zenit midfielder is not too happy with his captain after that terrible pass.
Anyukov reaches Criscito's overhit cross as Gent go to sleep, but the full-back slams his pass into the shins of Rafinha and the hosts recover.
SAVE! This could be a huge moment in the game. Depoitre races through one-on-one with Lodygin after collecting a shocking back pass by Neto, but the forward sees his weak attempt kept out by the foot of the Zenit 'keeper. His finish for the goal was sumptuous, but he really should have found the back of the net there!
A hugely sliced effort from Yusupov goes high and wide, drawing whistles from the crowd.
Yusupov brings down the dangerous Simon, giving Gent a chance to fire a free kick into the area from 40 yards out.
Milicevic dinks it in and although Neto glances it on, the referee blows for a foul against the hosts for a collision off the ball.
UPDATE: Lyon have taken the lead against Gary Neville's Valencia, which means Gent are four points clear of the Spanish oufit as things stand.
SAVE! Milicevic acrobatically flicks the ball into the path of Simon, but the pacey forward cuts inside into a mass of bodies to get the ball onto his right foot and Lodygin grasps the effort to his chest. He needed to be more confident on his weaker left side.
SAVE! The two Gent wing-backs combine to great effect as Asare diverts Foket's right-wing cross towards goal, but it pings straight at Lodygin from eight yards out. Either side of the 'keeper and that was a certain goal!
Yusupov collects a clearance 30 yards out, but he doesn't look assured as he slices a tame strike wide of the far post.
Criscito whips in a terrific left-wing cross which evades everyone, until Asare lashes it out of play at the far post under pressure. That was a wicked delivery!
BOOKING: Garay becomes the first player to pick up a yellow card for a blatant foul on Asare as Gent look to break.
HALF TIME: Gent 1-0 Zenit
Not a single minute of added time at the end of the first half and Gent are roared off by the vociferous home crowd. They're going through as things stand!
Depoitre's first goal in 13 games in the difference at the break, but the hosts could (and should) be out of sight. Depoitre had another chance after half an hour and Asare shot straight at Lodygin from Foket's cross.
With Valencia trailing 1-0 to Lyon at the break, Gent are currently four points clear in second place. But it could all become nervy with another goal in each game...
UPDATE: Arsenal need to win by two clear goals tonight and they're halfway there as they lead 1-0 at Olympiacos. Chelsea are also leading 1-0 at the interval, which is enough to send them through.
That's Nielsen in the foreground celebrating Depoitre's opener. It's the difference as things stand.
© Getty Images
KICKOFF: Can Gent hold on? There's sure to be a party atmosphere in the Ghelamco Arena if they do, but they have a massive 45 minutes to see out first. Surely Zenit can't be as bad as they were in the first period?
Zenit have started the second period on the front foot. Villas-Boas looks wound up on the touchline. He clearly wasn't impressed with what he saw before the break.
UPDATE: Giroud's doubled his and Arsenal's tally - they lead 2-0 in Olympiacos, which is enough as things stand!
SAVE! Sels reaches high above his head to punch Ryazantsev's powerful effort into the air. That was a moment of danger as the Gent defenders were more occupied with the big presence of Dzyuba.
UPDATE: Chelsea are also 2-0 up, as Willian gives a little cheer to Mourinho in what has been a miserable season so far!
Asare falls under a challenge from Garcia. It looked a soft foul, but here's a chance for Milicevic to float the ball in from 35 yards out.
Well, Asare backheels into the path of Milicevic, but the attacker isn't expecting it and he rushes an overhit lofted ball straight into Lodygin's arms. Not the greatest set piece to say the least...
Zenit were so ponderous in the first half but they're much more assured now. Their 100% record looks in grave danger unless they can find a goal soon though.
Simon again speeds down the left wing and Zenit simply can't cope with him. Thankfully for the Russian side he pulls the ball back behind everyone and they hack the ball clear.
Zenit simply don't have any pacey forwards on the pitch, which is allowing Gent to play a very high line and squeeze the play when Villas-Boas' side have the ball.
Asare tries to launch a ball into the left channel for Simon to chase, but he overhits it and Lodygin gathers.
Asare finds himself in a central position and shifts the ball out of his feet 30 yards out, but doesn't make a clean connection and Lodygin falls to his right and makes a comfortable save.
SUBSTITUTION: It's a first change for the night, as Dolgov replaces Ryazantsev for Zenit.
CHANCE! Dzyuba should do better after being found by Criscito's left-wing cross, but he doesn't rise high enough and the ball skims off his forehead and bounces well wide.
UPDATE: Giroud's got himself a hat-trick and Arsenal lead 3-0! Even if Olympiacos get two goals back, the Gunners will be going through! Surely that's enough?
GOAL! Gent 1-1 Zenit (Artyom Dzyuba)
Zenit level after some terrible defending by Gent! Kums slices a cross high up into the air which Nielsen misjudges. It bounces up and hits his hand, but while some Zenit players appeal for a penalty, Dzyuba coolly slots the ball underneath a helpless Lodygin from eight yards out. That's his sixth goal in the group stages - not bad!
Lodygin claims out of his six-yard area to punch a corner clear and Zenit break, but Gent get enough bodies back to thwart the danger.
Lodygin took a knock to the head as he cleared that corner and is receiving treatment at the moment. He should be OK to continue though.
Neto almost gifts the ball to Depoitre with another underhit backpass, but Lodygin dashes from his line to hoof the ball clear. That was close!
BOOKING: Garcia earns a yellow card after crashing into Asare. It was a clumsy challenge, as his elbow swung into the neck of the Gent wing-back.
UPDATE: Lyon lead Valencia 2-0. It looks as though Gent will be going through, even if they lose!
BOOKING: A third booking, as Yusupov pulls Kums' shirt. He didn't even try to hide that indiscretion!
GOAL! (Danijel Milicevic) Gent 2-1 Zenit
The noise levels rose a notch when news of Lyon's second goal filtered through, but it's gone up another few levels with Milicevic's brilliant finish! The attacking midfielder arrived late to perfectly execute a half-volley from a left-wing cross. Brilliant timing with the finish from the Swiss playmaker!
BOOKING: Milicevic earns himself a booking for swinging his short above his hed in celebration, but he couldn't care less!
SAVE! Anyukov fires a dipping strike from distance towards the far post, but Sels gets down well to push it behind.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Zenit throw on Bogaev for Anyukov, while Milicevic's final act was the goal, as he's replaced by Dejaegere.
Dzyuba nods a simple free header wide of goal from a central area just six yards out, but his blushes are spared as the flag is raised.
There's a Mexican wave working its way around the stadium and who can blame the home fans? In their debut Champions League season they're going to advance to the last 16! What a magnificent achievement!
SUBSTITUTION: Villas-Boas makes his final alteration, throwing on Troyanov for Garcia.
SUBSTITUTION: Simon leaves the pitch to a standing ovation and is replaced by Saief. The forward has been impressive tonight.
BOOKING: Lombaerts is the next Zenit player to pick up a yellow card for a foul on Dejaegere on the halfway line.
FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
SHOT! That's got to hurt! Mitorvic blocks Criscito's thumping strike with his head!
BOOKINGS: Mitrovic and Danny both earn bookings after squaring up over a corner decision. Was there really any need for that? You're both going through! Chill out!
SUBSTITUTION: The final change sees Coulibaly come on for Depoitre. Coulibaly's last-minute winner in Lyon two weeks ago set Gent on their way.
Coulibaly almost scores within seconds of his introduction with Lodygin off his line, but Lomboaerts come across on the cover.
FULL TIME: Gent 2-1 Zenit
What a marvellous achievement by Gent! In their first ever Champions League campaign they have progressed out of the group! I'm sure the fans will be celebrating long into the night!
Gent finished four points clear of Valencia in Group H in the end, as Gary Neville's first game in charge ended in a 2-0 defeat to Lyon.
That's all from me, but stick around on Sports Mole for plenty of Champions League reaction as Chelsea and Arsenal both go through. Until next time!
