Fernandes treble helps Lokomotiv overcoem Nice
Zurich: Nice striker Mario Balotelli scored twice in the first half hour only to be upstaged by a Manuel Fernandes hat-trick as Lokomotiv Moscow hit back to win 3-2 in a pulsating Europa League, last 32 first-leg tie on Thursday.
AC Milan enjoyed 3-0 away wins at Ostersunds Ludogorets Razgrad.
Balotelli took his tally to 21 goals this season for Nice, where he is in his second season and enjoying a new lease of life.
The maverick Italian slotted home after four minutes and converted a penalty in the 28th, sending Lokomotiv keeper Guilherme the wrong way after a Nemanja Pejcinovic handball.
Not to be outdone, Fernandes replied with a penalty before halftime and curled in a freekick to equalise in the 67th before completing his second Europa League hat-trick this term from Anton Miranchuk's cross.
Milan's best hope of Champions League next season appears to be by winning the Europa League. Patrick Cutrone, a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty and Fabio Borini gave them an impressive win at Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.
Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz, 37, scored twice in a 3-1 win at Spartak Moscow, while their Basque rivals Real Socieded were held 2-2 at home by Salzburg.
Sporting's Bruno Fernandes, Gelson Martins and Seydou Doumbia scored in an eight-minute spell after halftime as they came from behind to win 3-1 on Astana's artificial pitch in Kazakhstan where Marin Tomasov gave the hosts an early lead.
