Bordeaux beat Club Brugge to reach last 32

FC Girondins de Bordeaux booked their place in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with a game to spare thanks to a first away win in Group D at Club Brugge KV, for whom defeat spelt elimination.

The visitors made the perfect start against opponents they had beaten on each of their previous four meetings thanks to Jussiê's goal on three minutes. The Brazilian forward then capitalised on a Michael Almebäck error five minutes before the break, and although Club Brugge pulled one back through Maxime Lestienne, Bordeaux held firm to progress.

Bordeaux will have been buoyed by their 4-0 victory against Club Brugge on matchday one and they wasted little time before finding their rhythm. Mariano's cross from the right caused havoc in the home defence and Jussiê was on hand to sweep the ball past Vladan Kujović with his left foot.

Francis Gillot's men continued to dominate but had to wait until the 40th minute to double their advantage. Almebäck lost possession at the back after a lapse in concentration and Jussiê was able to race through one-on-one with Kujović, the 29-year-old keeping his cool to score his third goal of the group stage.

Club Brugge came close to an immediate response, but Vadis Odjidja's powerful volley was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Cédric Carrasso. The Belgian side improved after the restart, yet they struggled to break down a well-organised Bordeaux defence until Lestienne latched onto Ludovic Sané's stray back pass to give Club Brugge a lifeline four minutes from time.

Bordeaux nonetheless held on to their lead to claim their first European away win in five matches, and they will top the section if they avoid defeat at home against Newcastle United FC on matchday six.