Villarreal reaches Europa League knockout after Astana scare
Villarreal completed a shaky 3-2 victory in the Kazakhstani capital of Astana on Thursday to become the sixth team to reach the Europa League knockout stages.
The Yellow Submarine fell behind when Astana's Congolese forward Junior Kabananga struck a precise 25-yard effort into the top corner after 22 minutes, before a pair from Cedric Bakambu either side of a neat Daniel Raba smash gave Villarreal a two-goal advantage.
There were nervy moments for the La Liga side in the closing stages when Patrick Twumasi arrowed an effort in the bottom corner on 88 minutes, but the visitors took all three points from the Astana Arena after warding off a late goalmouth scramble.
Astana's fate will now come down to the final day of the group stage when it travels to Slavia Prague, its sole rival for Group A's second round-of-32 spot.
HEADLINES
- UEL roundup: Leverkusen to face Roma in semis after staying unbeaten
- Aston Villa's Martinez suspended for 1st leg of UECL semis
- Serie A secures extra UCL place, Bundesliga and EPL still in contention
- Atalanta bounce Liverpool as Klopp's final season suffers new blow
- Lille president: Martinez's shootout antics not befitting of high-level athlete