An enjoyable evening in the Europa League

The three Spanish teams in the UEFA Europa League all enjoyed positive results in the first legs of their last 32 ties. Athletic Club picked up a 2-2 draw away from home, while Villarreal CF and Sevilla FC earned important victories. The return legs will take place on Thursday 26 February.

The first team to play on Thursday was Athletic, who visited Torino FC. The Basques took the lead in the ninth minute through Iñaki Williams, who scored his first goal for the club. The Italians wasted no time in responding, however, as Maxi López hit an equaliser. The Argentine player then struck again before the break to make it 2-1. The visitors spent the second half searching for an equaliser, which they found in the 73rd minute thanks to captain Carlos Gurpegui. The centre-back also had a glorious chance to net a late winner, but struck the crossbar.

The reigning champions Sevilla met VFL Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The Germans gave Unai Emery’s side plenty of problems but the hosts grabbed the crucial goal in the 70th minute. Nico Pareja passed to Diogo Figueiras, and the Portuguese crossed to Vicente Iborra, who grabbed the only goal of the game.

Villarreal also won their home game, beating FC Salzburg 2-1 thanks to goals by Ikechukwu Uche in the 32nd minute and Denis Cheryshev in the 54th minute, the latter restoring the hosts' lead after playing a sensational one-two with Luciano Vietto, shortly after Jonathan Soriano had scored from the penalty spot for the visitors.