Europa League roundup: Barcelona, West Ham held; Braga edge Rangers

Spanish giants Barcelona had been compelled to accept a 1-1 draw in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt within the Europa League first-leg conflict on Thursday evening. 

Xavi Hernandez’s in-form Catalans had been clear favourites going into the match, however the hosts put in a strong efficiency earlier than a sold-out residence crowd.

Ansgar Knauff opened the scores three minutes into the second half, however Ferran Torres equalised simply after the hour mark. 

Frankfurt had been then lowered to 10 males with 12 minutes to go after Tuta was proven a straight purple card, however Barca couldn’t discover a winner.

The draw although makes the Blaugrana favourites for the second leg in Spain subsequent week. 

“We put in an excellent efficiency and didn’t enable them a lot in your complete 90 minutes,” stated Knauff. “It’s virtually a bit annoying that we didn’t maintain on for the win, however something is feasible for the second leg.”

In one other match, 10-man West Ham battled to a 1-1 draw at residence in opposition to Lyon in an entertaining conflict. 

With the match balanced at 0-0 going into the break, Aaron Cresswell was proven a straight purple card for a foul on Moussa Dembele simply earlier than the half-time whistle. 

Regardless of being a person much less, the Hammers drew first blood within the 52nd minute when Jarrod Bowen pounced on a Jerome Boateng error to seek out the again of the web.

The lead, nevertheless, lasted solely 14 minutes as Tanguy Ndombele, on mortgage from Tottenham equalised for the guests. 

In Portugal, Abel Ruiz scored a beautiful Fortieth-minute objective as Braga noticed off Rangers 1-0.

Thursday evening outcomes;

• Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
• West Ham 1-1 Lyon
• RB Leipzig 1-1 Atalanta
• Braga 1-0 Rangers