Spartak Moscow became the third Russian side to reach the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday, beating Swiss side Basel 4-3 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the Russia capital.
Leading 3-2 from the first leg, the home side were favorite to go through, but the tie hung in the balance until almost the final whistle thanks to a 15th-minute goal from Basel's Australian midfielder Scott Chipperfield.
The Muscovites still lead on away goals and although the Swiss side needed only a goal to advance the hosts looked comfortable until they wobbled under an onslaught in the final quarter of an hour.
Spartak finally made the game safe in the first minute of injury time when Ireland forward Aiden McGeady scored from close range after he was teed up by Artem Dzyuba following a mazy run by the Russian.
The match apparently failed to excite Spartak's fans, with just 14,000 turning up at the 85,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium, but the visit of Dutch giants Ajax in the next round may create more interest.
MOSCOW, February 24 (RIA Novosti)
