Late Kincl goal puts Sparta Prague into last 16

Substitute Marek Kincl scored with a header three minutes into injury time to give Sparta Prague a 1-0 win over Lazio in their final Champions League Group G match on Wednesday and put the Czech side into the next round.

On a bitterly cold night, Lazio controlled the ball more, but it was the Czech League champions who had the better chances in a game both had to win to have any hope of finishing second behind either Chelsea or Besitkas.

A lack of polished finishing appeared to have spelled the end for Sparta until Kincl, a second half substitute, headed Karel Poborsky's injury time off the crossbar and into the net for the victory.

With Chelsea beating Besiktas 2-0, Sparta finished second on eight points, one ahead of Besitkas to qualify for the knockout phase of 16 teams.