Salzburg tonight sealed top spot in Europa League Group G and dumped Lazio out of the competition with a narrow victory.

The result in Austria, coupled with Villarreal's 2-0 triumph at Levski Sofia, left the Roman outfit third in the pool and unable to catch the second-placed Spanish side.

Rabiu Afolabi put the hosts ahead early in the second half and, although they were pegged back by Pasquale Foggia's leveller five minutes later, Somen Tchoyi struck the winner 12 minutes from time to ensure Salzburg advance as group winners.

Salzburg's victory - their fifth in as many games - moved them six points clear of Villarreal, who have also progressed to the last 32 with one round of matches remaining.

Lazio, struggling in the lower reaches of Serie A, enjoyed a strong start and almost took an early lead.

Eliseu's angled strike from the edge of the area forced Salzburg goalkeeper Eddie Gustafsson to stretch fully to clear.

Shortly after, Stefano Mauri's 30-yard strike went just over the crossbar.

The hosts should have broken the deadlock in the 19th minute but Marc Janko's header from Christian Schwegler's cross went inches wide of the far post.

Salzburg made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute with Afolabi's header from Christoph Leitgeb's free-kick beating Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

But the hosts' joy was shortlived as Lazio equalised soon after.

Gustafsson parried away Mauro Zarate's strike but only as far as Foggia, who made no mistake and fired into the back of the net.

Lazio should have gone in front in the 70th minute but Zarate struck wide from inside the area after Tommaso Rocchi had tested Gustafsson.

Salzburg were unlucky not to regain the lead soon after, when Leitgeb's bullet strike beat Muslera but struck the far post.

But Salzburg's efforts were rewarded with 12 minutes remaining, as Tchoyi got past Emilson Cribari and produced a lob which beat Muslera.

Lazio were unlucky not to restore parity with seven minutes remaining with substitute Stephen Makinwa's header beating Gustafsson but rebounding off the near post, but Salzburg held on for the win.