EUROPA LEAGUE: Loftus-Cheek brace helps AC Milan beat Rennes

AC Milan secured victory over Rennes in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off tie, with English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek netting two goals.

The 28-year-old headed in their first goal off a cross by Alessandro Florenzi.

Rafael Leao scored Milan’s third goal with a beautiful finish after he added a second with a stooping header.

Since only scoring twice in his first 21 appearances since joining Milan from Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek has scored five goals in his last five outings.

In other news, Qarabag of Azerbaijan surprised Braga by winning 4-2 in Portugal. Abdellah Zoubir, a French midfielder, scored two goals for the visiting team.

Benfica defeated Toulouse 2-1 thanks to two penalties, one of which was scored by Angel di Maria in the 98th minute. Freiburg and Lens ended in a scoreless tie.

Romelu Lukaku scored in Roma’s 1-1 draw with Feyenoord earlier in the day.