MTNFootball

Christian Fuchs' stunning effort 13 minutes from time confirmed Schalke 04’s progression into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as they beat Greek side Olympiakos Piraeus 1-0 at the Veltins Arena in their Group B encounter on Wednesday night.

Early on it was end-to-end stuff in Germany, but it was Schalke who had come closest to opening the score - Holtby's strike crashed against the bar before Olympiakos goalkeeper Roy Carroll alleviated the pressure for the visitors in the 12th minute.

On the half hour mark, Schalke’s Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came close. Farfan's effort was blocked into the Dutchman's path. He fired across goal, but his shot drifted a yard wide of the far post. Had Huntelaar netted with his effort, it would've been his fifth goal in as many Champions League group games.

In the 36th minute, Schalke counter attacked from an Olympiakos corner. Jefferson Farfan on the right picked out Julian Draxler with a pin point cross. The youngster cut inside and targeted the near post, but he fired just wide.

Schalke were certainly the stronger of the two sides in the opening half, Holtby crashed an effort against the bar and Draxler blasted just over. However, they were yet to properly test Carroll, something that had angered head coach Huub Stevens at the interval.

Huntelaar should've scored in the 63rd minute. Draxler broke to the byline and lofted to the Dutchman. His header from six-yards out was straight at Carroll, who again held and alleviated the pressure.

Then 13 minutes from time, a stunning strike from Fuchs, who found the bottom corner from 25-yards out after being picked out by Jones. Carroll caught flat footed, but it was nothing less than what Schalke deserved.

Schalke will play in the last 16 in 2013 while Olympiakos will have to settle for a place in the Europa League.