Match ends, VfL Wolfsburg 0, Everton 2.
WolfsburgVfL Wolfsburg0EvertonEverton2
- Everton will finish top of Group H after win
- Toffees unbeaten in Europa League
- Lukaku and Mirallas on target
Everton are through to the Europa League knockout stage as Group H winners after victory at Wolfsburg.
A 1-1 draw in the other group game between Krasnodar and Lille meant the Toffees progressed regardless of the result in Germany.
Three points ensured top spot, however, as Romelu Lukaku powered home before half-time after Wolfsburg's Ivan Perisic had a goal ruled out.
Kevin Mirallas sealed victory in the second half with a goal on the break.
Everton, four points ahead of Wolfsburg at the top of the group, progress to the last 32 with a game to spare as they look to secure a first European trophy since 1985.
Both sets of players went into the game unaware of the scoreline in the group's other fixture, which kicked off one hour earlier.
Each side knew, however, that a win would guarantee qualification and that might have played its part in a frenetic start.
Wolfsburg, with eight wins from their last nine games, were immediately on the offensive as Perisic lashed into the side-netting while Aaron Hunt drew a full-stretch save out of Tim Howard.
Sylvain Distin hit the bar with a downward header between those chances but Wolfsburg should have been ahead midway through the half, when Perisic was wrongly ruled offside when he stabbed home from close range.
It was a let-off for Everton, and a crucial one, as they hit Wolfsburg on the break just before half-time.
Distin's header aside, the visitors had barely threatened in the first 45 minutes but snatched the lead when Lukaku received a pass from Kevin Mirallas, outmuscled two defenders and ran through on goal before finishing calmly.
Knowing that defeat would leave them needing at least a draw in their final game against Lille, Wolfsburg again pressured the Everton defence in the second half.
The hosts were again denied when former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner had a header ruled out for offside, but also Everton looked dangerous on the break - though Aiden McGeady somehow contrived to sidefoot over when presented with an open goal.
However, Everton wrapped up the win with another breakaway goal as Lukaku sent Mirallas away and the forward confidently slotted home.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez:
"On the transition we were lethal and every time we broke we looked really threatening.
"The two centre-halves (Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin) and (goalkeeper) Tim Howard were outstanding, and I think the shape of the team helped those three to be at their best.
"We have been getting on with our season on the quiet and I think Romelu Lukaku has been exactly the same.
"We are building something special going into the second half of the season. That is our objective."
Line-ups
Wolfsburg
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Benaglio
- 8Vieira de Freitas
- 25Naldo
- 31Knoche
- 4Schäfer
- 19Malanda-AdjeSubstituted forCaligiuriat 63'minutes
- 22DiasBooked at 45mins
- 14De Bruyne
- 10HuntSubstituted forArnoldat 75'minutes
- 9PerisicBooked at 58mins
- 3BendtnerSubstituted forOlicat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Klose
- 7Caligiuri
- 11Olic
- 15Träsch
- 20Grün
- 24Jung
- 27Arnold
Everton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Howard
- 2Hibbert
- 6Jagielka
- 15Distin
- 29Garbutt
- 16McCarthySubstituted forOsmanat 31'minutes
- 17BesicBooked at 73mins
- 7McGeady
- 5Eto'oSubstituted forBarkleyat 73'minutes
- 11MirallasSubstituted forAtsuat 83'minutes
- 10Lukaku
Substitutes
- 1Robles
- 9Koné
- 19Atsu
- 20Barkley
- 21Osman
- 23Coleman
- 27Browning
- Referee:
- Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
Match Stats
Home TeamWolfsburgAway TeamEverton
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home39
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away5
- Corners
- Home11
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home3
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, VfL Wolfsburg 0, Everton 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ivica Olic (VfL Wolfsburg) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Vieirinha with a headed pass.
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Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (VfL Wolfsburg) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Daniel Caligiuri.
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Attempt saved. Ross Barkley (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aiden McGeady.
Post update
Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Phil Jagielka.
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Attempt blocked. Ivan Perisic (VfL Wolfsburg) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Maximilian Arnold.
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Offside, Everton. Christian Atsu tries a through ball, but Ross Barkley is caught offside.
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Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box following a corner.
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Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Sylvain Distin.
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Attempt blocked. Daniel Caligiuri (VfL Wolfsburg) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Maximilian Arnold with a cross.
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Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Sylvain Distin.
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Offside, VfL Wolfsburg. Daniel Caligiuri tries a through ball, but Ivica Olic is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Everton. Christian Atsu replaces Kevin Mirallas.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ivica Olic (VfL Wolfsburg) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Daniel Caligiuri.
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Attempt missed. Vieirinha (VfL Wolfsburg) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Maximilian Arnold.
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Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Luke Garbutt.
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Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Leon Osman (Everton).
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Attempt missed. Ivan Perisic (VfL Wolfsburg) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Maximilian Arnold.
