2021-22 UEFA Europa League matchday four recap
The second phase of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League group stage has begun, and there are clubs that have their foot on the door of the knockout rounds. Here is our look on the situation of some groups and teams.
Lyon are in
Olympique Lyonnais officially qualified to the round of 16 after they trumped Sparta Prague, 3-0.
Islam Slimani’s brace done within two minutes was adequate to put away the Czech club. Karl Toko Ekambi added one more during stoppage time for good measure.
OL is unbeaten and has 12 points.
Frankfurt, West Ham assured of playoffs
Bundesliga squad Eintracht Frankfurt hurdled past Olympiacos, 2-1, ensuring themselves of a playoff spot.
Jens Petter Hauge’s injury time goal formalized Die Adler’s victory, as the tally was at 1-1 for most of the fixture.
In the same manner, English Premier League side West Ham United made sure that they will also have matches beyond the group stage. This is despite the 2-2 draw they had with Genk.
Saïd Benrahma’s two goals for The Hammers were canceled out by a Joseph Paintsil incursion, as well as an own goal by the former’s teammate, Tomáš Souček, that occured at the 88th minute.
With their respective fourth matches out of the way, what is left to be determined is which tournament the victorious clubs would participate in.
Entanglement on Group G
With Ferencváros eliminated, the fight is down to three clubs over on Group G.
Bayer Leverkusen surged ahead on the table with a 4-0 spanking of Real Betis.
Moussa Diaby achieved a brace, scoring at the tailend of the first half and the early period of the second half. Florian Wirtz and Nadiem Amiri doubled the lead in a span of four minutes near the end of regulation.
In the other pairing, Celtic dealt the final blow on the last-placed Hungarian club, 3-2.
Furuhashi Kyōgo, Jota, and Liel Abada were the goalscorers for the Scottish camp.
As things stand, Leverkusen is at first place with ten points. Following them are Betis with seven and The Celts with six.
Author Details
JP Abcede is a veteran sportswriter who has covered football, basketball, pro wrestling, and other sports for a variety of publications. Aside from sports, he also likes music and reading.
