Basel ease past Maccabi Tel Aviv to reach last 16

Basel have beaten Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 on aggregate to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League.

© AFP

Mohamed El-Nenny hit an early shot wide for the home side, but they soon broke the deadlock thanks to a Valentin Stocker header in the 18th minute.

Stocker then saw another effort saved by Juan Pablo, and the Maccabi goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out Marco Streller's effort a couple of minutes later.

The home side continued to create chances as half time approached, but Serey Die and Stocker missed the target.

Marek Suchy then drilled wide after the break as Basel pushed for a second goal.

They managed to break Maccabi's resistance with an hour played when Streller powered home a header from Serey Geoffroy's cross.

Their place in the last 16 was confirmed with 20 minutes remaining as Stocker set up Streller to head in off the far post.