AEK Athens rose to second in Group G after a 3-1 win at Hajduk Split which eliminated the Croatian club with one match to play.

AEK triumphed thanks to second-half goals from a Nacho Scocco penalty, Kostas Manolas and substitute Ismael Blanco, Jurica Buljat’s strike in the last minute coming too late for Hajduk.

The win lifts the Greek club on to seven points and needing just a draw at home to unbeaten section winners FC Zenit St Petersburg on 16 December to enter the following day’s draw for the last 32.

Despite a downpour ruining the pitch, both teams were full of attacking intent early on, with Aussie Nathan Burns tormenting the Croat’s defence early on.

Hajduk were unlucky early. In the third minute, Ante Vukusic did superbly to intercept a pass and free Anas Sharbini, whose left-footed shot across goalkeeper Sebastian Saja ricocheted back into the area off the base of the post. Marin Tomasov fired the loose ball over.

Sharbini and Tomasov were each then denied opportunities by last-ditch challenges, while AEK captain Nikos Liberopoulos failed to convert two half-chances.

Scocco perhaps should have scored in first-half added time after Burns had danced around Mario Maloca and teed him up six metres from goal, but made amends by drawing a foul from Maloca in the 50th minute and converting his spot kick with ease.

Burns set up the opportunity, making a mockery of a Hajduk duo, ducking and weaving despite his opponents numerical advantage. Burn’s pin point cross found Scocco in the perfect position as he was fouled.

A fantastic run from Burns again on the right, led to AEK’s second goal. Manolas doubled the advantage when rising to head a Liberopoulos corner high into the Hajduk net 11 minutes later.

The skipper made way for Blanco in the 80th minute, and four minutes later the Argentinian – fresh from a weekend winner against city rivals Olympiakos – caught Bozidar Radosevic unawares and swept the ball in first time from the edge of the area. Buljat’s late reply would have done little to dampen the visitors’ enthusiasm.

AEK coach Manolo Jimenez was quick to praise his chargers.

“There can be no general… if there are no right soldiers. The effort made by the players here, gives them value. They followed closely what we said. They gave everything and respected the historic shirt we’re wearing. Zenit are a great team with great players and a high budget.”