Europa League

Celta 1 – Standard Liège 1

Celta: Rubén Blanco; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Roncaglia, Jonny (Sergi Gómez 82’); Pablo Hernández, Marcelo Díaz (Radoja 62‘), Daniel Wass (Rossi 84‘); Iago Aspas, Guidetti, Pione Sisto. 4-3-3.
Standard: Hubert; Collins Fai, Scholz, Laifis, Fiore; Edmilson Junior (Mbenza 62’), Trebel, Cissé, Raman (Badibanga 89’); Orlando Sá, Belfodil. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 08. Iago Aspas. Picked up Hugo Mallo throw-in and ran through to score.
1-1. 81. Laifis. Steered angled header across Blanco from Collins Fai centre.

Yellow cards: Orlando Sá 32’, Iago Aspas 33’, 94’, Belfodil 34’, Collins Fai 61’, Laifis 82’ / red cards: Iago Aspas 94’.

Celta and Standard Liège came in to their match at the Balaidos stadium knowing that the winner would qualify for the knock-out stage, and that the loser would be eliminated from the competition. However the game ended with the same 1-1 scoreline as the last time the two teams met, and (with Ajax securing top spot) the Galicians now have to better the Belgian side’s result in a fortnight’s time to take the second qualifying place. Guidetti fired a shot wide before Iago Aspas picked up a Mallo throw-in and battled past three defenders to open the scoring. After that though the visitors were on top, Rubén Blanco having to save from Belfodil and Cissé, and Orlando Sá heading against the woodwork. Pione Sisto went close a couple of times after the break, but Blanco had to keep out Belfodil again, and with ten minutes to go Laifis made it all square with a header from a Collins Fai cross. Sisto tested Hubert again near the end, but with the final whistle approaching Aspas was sent off after picking up a second booking for arguing with the referee. He will miss the key match at Panathinaikos, but all eyes will also be on Standard’s game against Ajax. Only one team will go through.