Soccer-Late Pedro goal gives Brighton win over Marseille and top spot in Europa League group

Soccer Football - Europa League - Group B - Brighton & Hove Albion v Olympique de Marseille - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - December 14, 2023 Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Toby Melville

BRIGHTON, England (Reuters) -Joao Pedro's late goal earned Brighton & Hove Albion a dramatic 1-0 win over Olympique Marseille on Thursday to secure the hosts top spot in Europa League Group B.

Both sides went into the final matchday of the group stage assured of a place in the next round but Brighton needed all three points to progress directly to the round of 16 as leaders.