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Villarreal 2-1 Sparta Prague: Bakambu brace gives hosts first-leg edge

Apr 7, 2016 4:59:34 PM

Villarreal edged the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final 2-1 against Sparta Prague, with Cedric Bakambu on target with a brace.

Cedric Bakambu struck twice as Villarreal beat a depleted Sparta Prague 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal at El Madrigal on Thursday.

Sparta goalkeeper David Bicik gifted Villarreal the opener in the third minute, dallying and hitting a clearance off striker Bakambu, which ricocheted into the net.

Ladislav Krejci's goal was rightly ruled out for Sparta and Bicik made a string of saves before Jakub Brabec headed a potentially key away goal in first-half injury time.