Anthony Martial netted his first goal for Sevilla since joining on loan from Manchester United as his side defeated Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 in the Europa League.
Martial was on target for Julen Lopetegui’s side, whose home stadium will host this season’s Europa League final – a competition they have won a record six times.
It was a mixed night of action for British clubs, with Rangers and Leicester recording impressive wins but Celtic fell to a shock home defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Conference League.
In total, there were 16 matches across the Europa League and Conference League in an action-packed evening of action and drama.
Mirror Football rounds up all the key talking points as the business end of the football season begins.
Martial opens Sevilla account
Anthony Martial netted his first goal for Sevilla since joining the Andalusian club on loan from Manchester United in their win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The Frenchman coolly finished off a punchy Sevilla attack just before the half-time whistle on his third start for the club.
Have Your Say! Can Sevilla win the Europa League again? Tell us what you think here.
The Europa League final is in Sevilla’s stadium this year and the six-time competition record winners have their eyes set on another prize.
Ivan Rakitic and Lucas Ocampos were also on the scoresheet in the first half for Julen Lopetegui’s side as Mislav Orsic – who netted a hat-trick against Tottenham last year – was on target for the Croatian outfit.
Celtic suffer shock defeat
It was a wonderful evening for Rangers – who eye-catchingly won 4-2 at Borussia Dortmund – but the green half of Glasgow did not enjoy their night.
Ange Postecoglou’s slipped to a surprise two-goal defeat at home to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who had won their group undefeated including a stunning 6-1 triumph over Jose Mourinho ’s Roma.
Celtic had dropped down from the Europa League and were big favourites for their Conference League tie against the Norwegian champions but were left stunned.
Runar Espejord gave the visitors a first-half lead before Amahl Pellegrino doubled the lead after the break.
Daizen Maeda halved the deficit to give Celtic hope but the visitors immediately restored their two-goal advantage through Hugo Vetlesen.
Celtic now have a huge task on their hands to continue their European adventure into March.
Leicester avoid upset
Unlike Celtic, Leicester City managed to avoid any upset against Scandinavian opposition as they dispatched Danish side Randers 4-1.
Wilfred Ndidi, Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall were all on target for the Foxes, who dropped out of the Europa League group stage.
Brendan Rodgers may now see this competition as a chance to salvage something from their underwhelming campaign to date.
Veteran Joaquin leads brilliant Betis
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis are flying this season; they are third in La Liga, ahead in their Copa del Rey semi-final and now leading in their Europa League tie against Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Veteran captain Joaquin, who will celebrate his 41 st birthday this summer, delivered an inch-perfect free-kick for Guido Rodriguez to open the scoring through a header.
Willian Jose soon added a second, and whilst Zenit responded through Artem Dzyuba and Malcom, Betis retook the lead before half-time through Andres Guardado.
A frantic first half was followed by a scoreless second period, giving Betis the advantage at the halfway point ahead of the return leg.
With this year’s Europa League final at the home of their city rivals Sevilla, Betis may be worth keeping an eye on in the knockout stages.
Sheriff shoot down Braga
The story of this season’s Champions League, despite their group stage elimination, were Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol.
Their victory at Real Madrid was arguably the biggest shock ever in the group stages of the competition, while they also defeated Shakhtar Donestk at home.
That they did not prop up their group was a minor miracle and earned them a Europa League place – with another superb victory over fancied Portuguese side Braga.
Sebastien Thill’s penalty and Adama Traore (no, not that one) have given them a superb chance to progress through to the Round of 16 as their remarkable European story continues.
