Roma secured a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League as they came from behind to beat Basle at the Stadio Olimpico.

Benjamin Huggel put the Swiss side ahead in the 18th minute, but Francesco Totti levelled from the penalty spot shortly after the half-hour mark after the Roma captain was held inside the area by Marcos Gelabert.

Mirko Vucinic struck the winner in the 59th minute to make sure the Italians progressed with a game to spare.

The result moved Roma one point clear of Basle at the top of Group E and two points ahead of Fulham.

A draw against Fulham in the final match would be enough for Basle to join Roma in the last 32.

The visitors controlled the opening stages of the match and their efforts were soon rewarded.

Huggel latched onto Valentin Stocker's cross from the left and headed from the edge of the six-yard box past Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio.

Roma had a golden chance to equalise shortly after as Vucinic set Simone Perrotta inside the area, but his effort was parried away by Basle goalkeeper Stefan Wessels.

The hosts, though, did equalise after 32 minutes.

Totti's penalty found the right corner, Wessels unable to get a hand to the ball even though he went the right way.

Vucinic almost succeeded in giving Roma a half-time lead but his angled strike from the edge of the area was cleared by Wessels.

Basle showed more determination after the restart and should have regained the lead but Julio Sergio made a fine save from Alexander Frei's right-footed strike from inside the area.

But just when Basle were enjoyed their best spell, Roma scored a second.

Daniele De Rossi passed to Vucinic in the area and the striker's left-footed strike beat Wessels.

At the other end, Julio Sergio was forced to deflect Stocker's right-footed strike from the edge of area away with his foot.

Basle might have snatched an equaliser with two minutes remaining, Frei's close-range strike from Stocker's cross beating Julio Sergio but coming back off the crossbar as Roma held on for victory.

Roma will travel to face CSKA Sofia in the final group match looking to secure top spot in the group.