Champions League playoffs: FC Porto ease past Roma, Monaco secure late win over Villareal

For the third successful year, an Italian team failed to progress through the Champions League playoffs. AS Roma, after cruising to a 4-0 win against Udinese over the weekend, capitulated against FC Porto, who cruised to the Champions League group stages courtesy a 3-0 win. Brendan Rodgers's Celtic went down to Hapoel Be'er Sheva 0-2, but still managed to book a spot in the final draw. French side AS Monaco also progressed after beating Villarreal through a late penalty from Fabinho.

Celtic survive Hapoel scare

Celtic already had one foot in the group stages after thumping the Israeli outfit Hapoel Be'er Sheva 5-2 in the first leg. The home side were awarded a penalty as early as the 15th minute of the game, but Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon guessed the right way to deny Maharan Radi from the spot.

The save would go on to benefit the Scottish giants at the end of the tie. Hapoel broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, as striker Ben Sahar put them in the lead through a header. There was a sense of panic in the Celtic ranks as the second goal went in during the 48th minute following a mix-up; Ovidiu Hoban preyed in to bundle the ball into the net.

Monaco scrape through against Villareal with a late penalty

There were a few chances for both sides to score in this game through open play. The French side progressed through Fabinho, who scored the only goal of the game. Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic had kept his team alive in the 40th minute when he dived full stretch to deny Santos Borre.

Dundalk miss golden opportunity to make history

Dundalk will look back at this game as a missed opportunity to become the first Irish representative in the Champions League. Robbie Benson's excellent strike in the 19th minute gave Dundalk the the lead. Things got even better for the away side as Adam Hlousek was sent off with 20 minutes still left on the clock.

However, the Lillywhites were unable to make the numerical advantage count and had their fate sealed by winger Michal Kucharczyk, who broke clear, cut in from the left and scored in stoppage time to send Warsaw to the Champions League.

AS Roma flop despite having away-goal advantage

The Italian side made a fine start to their league campaign. However, they fell apart in their playoff against Porto and finished the game with nine men, as Danielle de Rossi and Emerson were handed red cards. After securing a 1-1 draw away from home, the advantage was with Roma coming into the second leg.

In the eighth minute, Roma's chances took a big dent as Felipe headed the 2004 champions Porto into the lead from a free kick. De Rossi, playing at centre-back in the game because of the suspended Thomas Vermaelen, was given his marching orders late in the first half. Miguel Layun and Jesus Corona scored two second-half goals in quick succession to seal the tie.

Ludogorets Razgrad prevail in thrilling draw

The pendulum swung back and forth in this contest between Ludogorets Razgrad and Viktoria Plzen. In the seventh minute of the game, Michal Duris scored from a corner to put the trailing Plzen in the lead. Ludogorets hit back through a Virgil Misidjan equaliser. Ales Mateju's goal gave the hosts hope in the second half, but Claudiu Keseru's late strike ensured that the Bulgarians were through.

The results:

Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2 (Ben Sahar, Ovidiu Hoban) beat Celtic 0. Celtic progress after winning the tie 5-4 on aggregate.

Monaco 1 (Fabinho) beat Villarreal 0. Monaco progress after winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

AS Roma 0 lose to FC Porto 3 (Felipe, Miguel Layun, Jesus Corona). Porto progress after winning tie 4-1 on aggregate.

Legia Warsaw 1 (Michal Kucharczyk) drew with Dundalk 1 (Robbie Benson). Legia Warsaw progress after winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Ludogorets Razgrad 2 (Michal Duris, Virgil Misidjan) drew with Viktoria Plzen 2 (Virgil Misidjan, Claudiu Keser). Ludogorets Razgrad progress after winning tie 4-2 on aggregate.