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Three from three for Spain on good night in Europa League

Xinhua, December 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spain will have three sides in te last 32 of the Europa League following Thursday's results.

Celta Vigo needed a better result than Standard Liege in order to progress in the competition and assured their qualification with a 2-0 win away to Panathinaikos thanks to a fourth minute header from striker John Guidetti and a 75ht minute penalty from Fabian Orellana.

Villarreal left it late before beating Steaua Bucharest 2-1 in the El Madrigal Stadium to assure second place in Group L.

Nicola Sansone save the Spanish side a perfect start after 15 minutes and Villarreal could have extended their lead before halftime as they controlled the game.

However, they failed to take their chances and Vlad Achim made them pay when he equalized with a simple header.

The game looked to be heading for a draw before Manu Trigueros scored the winning goal with an excellent right foot shot two minutes from time.

Athletic Club Bilbao, who already had their place in the next phase assured, drew 1-1 away to Rapid Vienna, but won't know if they finish first or second in their group as the match between Sassuolo and Genk was postponed due to fog.

Although they controlled most of the game an Athletic 11 made up largely of fringe players fell behind to an Alolinario de Lina goal in the 72nd minute, before Enrich Saborit netted a well-deserved equalizer six minutes from time. Enditem