Villarreal and Granada into last 32 of Europa League but Real Sociedad fluff their lines

MADRID - La Liga leaders Real Sociedad need to win away at Napoli in their last group game to assure their place in the last 16 of the Europa League after being held to a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Rijeka on Thursday.

The Croatian side had lost all of their previous games, but twice took the lead in San Sebastian through goals from Darko Vekovski after 37 minutes and Stjepan Loncar after 73 minutes.

Substitute Jon Bautista drew Real Sociedad level for the first time after 69 minutes and left-back Nacho Monreal assured a draw 11 minutes from time, but the 1-1 draw between AZ Alkmaar and Napoli means the Basque side (who had 27 shots during the game) still have work to do against a rival who beat them earlier in the group and who are not assured of a place in the last 32 themselves.

Granada qualified in the knockout stages despite a 1-0 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven which extends their recent poor run of results.

Donyell Malen's 38th minute goal gave PSV the win, which also assured their place in the next round thanks to AC Omonia's slightly surprising 2-1 win over PAOK Salonika in the other group game.

In the first game of the day Samuel Chukwueze's 74th minute goal assured Villarreal's qualification at the top of their group with a 1-0 win away to Turkish side Sivasspor.

Villarreal coach Unai Emery fielded a side packed with fringe players as he has for most of the competition so far, with Chukwueze one of the few regulars in the side.

The young Nigerian took advantage of an excellent cross from left back Jaume Costa to score the only goal of the game with a simple finish.