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Joao Pedro’s sixth goal of Brighton’s maiden European campaign clinched a place in the last 16 of the competition and ended a night of frustration against Marseille.
For 88 minutes, it seemed as if Roberto de Zerbi’s team would be forced into an awkward play-off tie in February.
But the Brazilian forward struck in the closing minutes, collecting a pass in a tight space, working the ball onto his right foot and firing a shot high into the goal.
Jubiliant celebrations followed. Brighton have grown into the Europa League and Pedro has been their spearhead.
Brighton needed to win but Marseille came for point, defended deep, ran down the clock when they could and sprang out on the counterattack to good effect.
It was a late show at the Amex as Joao Pedro scored the goal Brighton needed to top Group B
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are in the last 16 and beat out European regulars Marseille, Ajax, and AEK Athens – despite it being their firs European campaign
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The French twice hit the woodwork and they were minutes from leaving the point they needed when Pedro found a way to break their resistance.
Brighton’s European campaign flickered into life in Marseille in October. Having lost the opener at home to AEK Athens, they trailed 2-0 in the Stade Velodrome before fighting back for a point and winning the next three games to secure qualification a place in the knock-out stages.
Marseille were also through but the prize for winning the group is significant, avoiding the play-off round between those teams finishing as runners-up against those teams who finished third in the Champions League groups.
With this in mind, both managers selected strong teams and Brighton settled into a good early rhythm and dominated the first half, with Billy Gilmour dictating tempo from midfield and both wingers enjoying space behind the wing backs.
Simon Adringra had the first effort of the night for the home team, cutting inside from the right onto his left foot. Kaoru Mitoma mirrored the action for the second. Neither proved too difficult for Pau Lopez to keep out.
In between, Marseille gave their hosts a fright when they hit the woodwork with a deflected shot by wing back Jonathan Clauss, which clipped Pascal Gross, spun high over goalkeeper Jason Steele and caught the bar on the way down. Brighton scrambled the rebound to safety.
The opposing centre forwards, Joao Pedro and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came into the game as the top scorers in the competition. They had five goals each in their first five games but chances were scarce.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Aubameyang, who scored three against Ajax on his last Europa League outing appeared troubled by an injury and required treatment. Pedro grew into the contest as half-time approached.
One chance came his way when Gross picked him out with a cross just before the interval. Pedro twisted away from his marker but could not get enough power in his shot. Again, Lopez dropped to his left and made the save.
The pattern continued into the second half. Marseille took few risks and frustrated their hosts. Brighton’s wide men threatened without finding a breakthrough. Lopez saved from Gilmour and Adingra skied an excellent chance created by Mitoma.
Then another warning as Marseille struck the frame of the goal again. This time it was Amine Harit wriggling into space and beating Steele with a low shot, which thumped into the base of a post, ricocheted into the goalkeeper and Jan-Paul van Hecke hooked clear before Aubameyang could pounce.
Clauss went close again as the game loosened up and Marseille substitute Iliman Ndiaye, signed from Sheffield United in the summer, sparkled.
De Zerbi made changes as he searched for a winner. They will be back in Europe in March but now turn back to the Premier League, with Arsenal on Sunday followed by their derby against Crystal Palace.
