Rossi double wins Group D for Villarreal

Giuseppe Rossi scored twice as Villarreal CF registered the victory they needed against Club Brugge KV to win Group D.

If the Club Brugge faithful were daring to dream of their team's first triumph in the section when Dorge Kouemaha stooped to head the hosts in front on 28 minutes, then they were soon disappointed. Rossi swiftly drew the Yellow Submarine level with a looping header and within six minutes of falling behind had turned the encounter in the Liga side's favour by winning and converting a penalty.

Villarreal would have scored their first away goal of the group inside five minutes but for a miss from Joan Capdevila. The left-back, following up after Geert De Vlieger had saved Marcos Senna's free-kick with his legs, stabbed the ball against the post from all of two metres.

Club Brugge, with the waspish Ronald Vargas looking to get on the ball whenever possible, were more than playing their part in a lively opening, though. They took the lead when Kouemaha was in the right place to head in the rebound, Jonathan Blondel's side-footed effort having been impressively tipped on to the bar by Diego López.

It was an advantage which proved to be short-lived, however, as Rossi rose unmarked to head in Capdevila's cross. The Italy striker quickly doubled his tally on the night, picking himself up and striking a spot kick low into the corner after being tripped by Ryan Donk.

Villarreal's No22 sensed a hat-trick and would have had it but for a smart near-post save from De Vlieger four minutes after break following a pass inside from the marauding Capdevila. The Belgian side, eager to finish their campaign on a high, refused to be cowed, though, and came closest to equalising when Ivan Perišić's flashing drive skimmed the outside of the far post.