Fenerbahçe, Freiburg, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Rennes are certain to finish in the top two of their 2022/23 UEFA Europa League groups, but Arsenal and Manchester United have to wait a while longer to join them despite narrow victories on day four.
UEFA.com summarizes Thursday night’s action.
Bodø/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal
Bukayo Saka completed a neat move to maintain the Gunners’ perfect start in Group A and end the Norwegian side’s 14-game winning streak in Europe. After exchanging passes with Albert Sambi Lokonga, Saka put the ball over the line after his low shot was deflected towards him by a Bodø/Glimt defender. The hosts kicked into high gear after the break, but goalkeeper Matt Turner denied Amahl Pellegrino and Ola Solbakken from narrow shots.
Key stat: Arsenal have won their last nine Europa League group stage matches.
Man United 1-0 Omonia
Scott McTominay latched on to Jadon Sancho’s ball in injury time to break the hearts of brave Omonoia and their brilliant keeper Francis Uzoho. The Red Devils dominated what was their first home game for seven weeks but failed to get past the Nigerian keeper until the very last blows. Marcus Rashford was denied three times in the first half, while Uzoho also hit Casemiro’s flare on the bar.
Key stat: McTominay’s goal was just his second in more than 30 UEFA club competition appearances.
Real Betis 1-1 Roma
Betis got the point they needed to confirm a place in the top two of Group C, breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute when a Sergio Canales shot from the edge of the box beat Rui Patrício with a deflection of Roger Ibañez. Roma’s Andrea Belotti had a header ruled out for offside but then equalized from close range in the second half to maintain his side’s chances of finishing second.
Key stat: Roma have now scored in 23 consecutive European away matches.
Nantes 0-4 Freiburg
Freiburg reached the round of 16 with an emphatic victory in France. Moussa Sissoko and Sébastien Corchia hit the woodwork for Nantes in the first half, but Lukas Kübler’s powerful finish turned the tide, and Michael Gregoritsch doubled the visitors’ lead before Kevin Schade’s shot mischievously deflected Jean -Charles Castelletto for Fribourg’s third. Wooyeong Jeong’s close-range effort completed the scoring late in the game.
Key stat: Kübler’s goal was his first since last April, when they won 3-0 in the Bundesliga against Bochum.
Ferencvaros 2-1 Crvena zvezda
Samy Mmaee’s blistering header helped Ferencváros earn a vital three points in Group H. Kristoffer Zachariassen put the hosts ahead in the first half with his eighth of the season in all competitions, but a superb solo effort from Stefan Mitrović put the visitors level. . Denied by the post earlier in the half, Mmaee got the winner when he met Lóránd Pászka’s corner.
Key stat: Ferencváros have won their last six home games in all competitions.
The best of the rest
• Vítor Oliveira netted a first-half hat-trick for Braga but was not on the winning side as Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at Leuven.
• Christopher Wooh made his debut for Rennes with the only goal of the match at Dynamo Kyiv. The French team and Fenerbahçe are certain to finish in the top two of Group B.
• William Bøving from Sturm also had a memorable night. the 19-year-old came off the bench for the Austrian side and scored twice as his side earned a 2-2 draw against Lazio.
All the results of the 4th days
group ABodø/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven 5-0 Zurich
Group B: AEK Larnaca 1-2 Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kyiv 0-1 Rennes
Group CReal Betis 1-1 Roma, Ludogorets 2-0 HJK Helsinki
Group D: Union SG 3-3 Braga, Union Berlin 1-0 Malmo
Group EMan United 1-0 Omonia, Real Sociedad 3-0 Sheriff
Group FFeyenoord 2-2 Midtjylland, Lazio 2-2 Sturm Graz
Group G: Nantes 0-4 Freiburg, Qarabag 0-0 Olympiacos
Group H: Trabzonspor 4-0 Monaco, Ferencvaros 2-1 Crvena zvezda
All matches from Matchday 5 (October 27)
group A: Zürich vs Bodø/Glimt (6:45 p.m.), PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal (6:45 p.m.)
Group B: AEK Larnaca vs Dynamo Kyiv (6:45 p.m.), Fenerbahçe vs Rennes (6:45 p.m.)
Group C: Ludogorets vs Real Betis (6:45 p.m.), HJK Helsinki vs Roma (9:00 p.m.)
Group D: Malmö v Union SG (6:45 p.m.), Union Berlin v Braga (6:45 p.m.)
Group E: Man United v Sheriff (9:00 p.m.), Omonoia v Real Sociedad (9:00 p.m.)
Group FLazio v Midtjylland (6:45 p.m.), Sturm Graz v Feyenoord (9:00 p.m.)
Group G: Freiburg vs Olympiacos (9 p.m.), Nantes vs Qarabağ (9 p.m.)
Group H: Crvena zvezda vs. Trabzonspor (9:00 p.m.), Ferencváros vs. Monaco (9:00 p.m.)
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