Chris Smalling is quickly becoming part of the furniture at Roma as the 30-year-old ended Thursday night as the club's captain against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Europa League.
The on-loan Manchester United defender has revived his career with the Italian giants and showed no hesitancy in taking the armband as Paulo Fonseca shuffled his pack with the result in no doubt.
A penalty from Jordan Veretout on the half-hour mark was soon followed by goals from Justin Kluivert and Edin Dzeko to ensure Roma keep hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive - leapfrogging Basaksehir into second place in Group J, level on points with leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.
It was a nervy night for the German side as they managed to just get over the line for a 1-0 win away to Austrian side Wolfsberger AC.
A strike on the hour by Lars Stindl was enough to secure a vital three points as Monchengladbach, Roma and Instanbul Basaksehir face a final gameweek shootout to qualify in the top two positions.
There are no such worries for AZ Alkmaar as they joined Manchester United in progressing from Group L on Thursday.
The Dutch side played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Partizan Belgrade and that was all they needed to ensure safe passage.
Two goals from Ferdy Druijf in the final five minutes caused a frantic finale in Holland as a point was snatched from the jaws of defeat.
Alkmaar can still top the group as they make the trip to Old Trafford on matchday six to cap off the group stage campaign away against United.
Another side who celebrated qualification for the knockout stages on Thursday was Gent after their stalemate away at Saint Etienne.
Elsewhere, Malmo played out perhaps the most thrilling game of the night as they shared seven goals with Dynamo Kiev.
The 4-3 win for Malmo, which included a brace from Markus Rosenberg, who got his second in the 96th minute to win it, is huge to the hosts as they are now in prime position to emerge from Group B.
One of the most finely poised groups ahead of the final round of matches is Group C where one point separates leaders FC Basel - 10 points - and third-placed FC Krasnodar, who beat them on Thursday, on nine points.
Getafe, the other side in contention, picked up a vital away win against Tranzonspor, the worst side in the group, and there is all to play for with one final set of 90 minutes to go in the group.
Lazio ensured Celtic topped Group E after they beat CFR Cluj 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Roman side had Joaquin Correa's first-half goal to thank for the narrow win as qualification hopes remain faint hopes of reaching the last 32.