Lazio 3 - 2 Saint-Etienne : Lazio hit back to defeat nine-man St Etienne in Europa League

Lazio came from a goal behind to beat nine-man St Etienne 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in Europa League Group G.

The French side went ahead after just six minutes courtesy of a scrappy set-piece goal from Moustapha Sall.

But Lazio fought back through goals from Ogenyi Onazi, Wesley Hoedt and Lucas Biglia - after St Etienne striker Robert Beric was sent off after 32 minutes for an elbow on Mauricio.

Sall was also then sent off for the visitors, before the Italians had to withstand a late fightback - after Biglia looked to have put the game beyond doubt at 3-1.

St Etienne went ahead after just six minutes when the ball ricocheted off Sall's chest from a corner and beyond Etrit Berisha in the Lazio goal.

Nolan Roux then almost doubled the French team's advantage after 15 minutes, but he was unlucky to see his looping header rebound back off the crossbar.

Onazi found the equaliser for the Serie A side after 22 minutes. Slick play from Felipe Anderson on the left flank saw the ball delivered into the penalty area for Onazi to fire beyond Ruffier.

Beric was then sent off on 32 minutes for an alleged elbow on Lazio centre-half Mauricio - although contact looked to be minimal.

Lazio went ahead on 48 minutes when Ruffier made a mess of trying to deal with a free-kick, allowing Hoedt to neatly clip the ball into the empty net.

A deflected shot from Biglia then put the Italians 3-1 ahead, after the St Etienne defence failed to clear their lines from a cross.

But it was to be a nervy end to the evening as Kevin Monnet-Paquet pulled a late goal back for the nine men of St Etienne - his sublime lob being the best goal of the game.