Villarreal into last 4 of Europa League, while Granada out at Old Trafford
Apr 16, 2021
Madrid (Spain) Apr 16: Villarreal qualified for the semifinals of the Europa League on Thursday night after a 2-1 win at home to Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, while Granada's first-ever European adventure came to an end following a 2-0 defeat in Old Trafford.
Villarreal enjoyed a relatively placid evening after their 1-0 win away from home a week ago, with Spain international Gerard Moreno setting up PacoAlcecer for their opening goal in the 35th minute of the game.
The goal was originally ruled out for offside, but after a long consultation with the VAR, it was given as legal and Moreno doubled Villarreal's lead on the night in the 42nd minute with a precise left-foot finish.
With the tie virtually assured, Dinamo goalkeeper Dominik Lauritsen kept the score down and the Croatians pulled a goal back in the 74th minute with a shot from a tight angle from MislavOrsic, although Villarreal's progress was never in doubt.
Granada's first-ever European adventure ended after they were beaten 2-0 away to Manchester United.
The Spanish side always faced an uphill task after losing the first leg 2-0 at home a week ago and that job got more difficult after just five minutes when EdinsonCavani was given plenty of space to pick his spot.
Granada then lost MaximeGonalons with a shoulder injury after half an hour of the game and although the Spanish side went close on a couple of occasions and kept working until the end, it was United who grabbed a second goal with Jesus Vallejo putting a cross into his own net in the last minute to make it 4-0 on aggregate.
Source: Xinhua
