Important wins for Betis and Valencia

Real Betis took on Vitória SC in the Benito Villamarín tonight to decide which side would lead Group I for the time being. Pepe Mel’s men got an important victory in their search for a place in the knockout phase of the competition thanks to a Álvaro Vadillo goal right after the break. With this result, Betis and Olympique Lyonnais now lead the group, after the French outfit beat HNK Rijeka 1-0.

Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s Sevilla side, which won its first two matches in Group H, scrapped a point thanks to a last minute equaliser by Vitolo. FC Slovan Liberec took the lead on the 20-minute mark with a Michael Rabušic effort going in, but the Andalusian side was able to come away with a valuable point. In the group’s other encounter, SC Freiburg and Estoril Praia also drew 1-1, meaning the Spanish team now tops the group with seven points.

Finally, Valencia thrashed FC St Gallen 5-1 in Mestalla, with the home side going into half-time with a four goal advantage thanks to a Paco Alcácer strike, a Fede Cartabia brace and a Ricardo Costa header. Miroslav Djukić’s side extended its lead after the break when Sergio Canales scored from a free kick. The Swiss team snatched a goal back through Stéphane Nater, which only served as consolation.