Tottenham see off Qarabağ; Athletic Club deny Roma; Ajax run riot | OneFootball

Europa League action continues on Thursday with several pulsating encounters to enjoy.

Here’s what went down.

Tottenham survive Qarabağ test

Scorers: Johnson 12′, Sarr 52′, Solanke 68′. Red card: Drăgușin

Tottenham recovered from a difficult start to run out 3-0 winners over Qarabağ in their opening Europa League fixture.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had to be delayed by 35 minutes due to transport problems before the hosts were dealt several early blows.

Radu Drăgușin was sent off after just eight minutes for pulling down Juninho while Lucas Bergvall was withdrawn a short time later with an injury concern.

Brennan Johnson soon banished any potential fears for Ange Postecoglou’s side by sweeping home a opener after Dominic Solanke had won the ball up high.

Pape Mata Sarr added a second shortly after the half-time interval with a drilled finish at the far post after Mateusz Kochalski had parried a Lillywhites’ corner.

The visitors spurned a chance to half their deficit when Yves Bissouma kicked out at Elvin Cafarguliyev but Toral Bayramov blasted his penalty against the crossbar.

Solanke added a goal in his own right as Kochalski spilled Heung-min Son’s long-range attempt into his path for a comfortable finish.

Juninho appeared to have produced a late consolation for Qarabağ with a leaping header but saw his effort immediately chalked off for offside.

Spurs travel to Ferencváros for their next fixture in the competition.

Athletic Club level late on

Scorers: Dovbyk 32′; Paredes 86′

Roma and Athletic Club had to settle for a point apiece after a close-fought 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Artem Dovbyk broke the deadlock of a cagey encounter on 32 minutes by nodding down Evan Ndicka’s cross to the far post.

But Ernesto Valverde’s side struck back in the closing stages as Aitor Paredes levelled by heading home from Unai Nuñez’s flick-on.

The Giallorossi travel to Elfsborg in their next continental outing while Athletic host AZ Alkmaar.

Ajax run riot on Beşiktaş

Scorers: Fitz-Jim 31′, Godts 51′, 73′ Taylor 55′

Ajax put Beşiktaş to the sword with a 4-0 exhibition in their encounter at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

They opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when Kian Fitz-Jim slid home a loose ball unmarked at the far post.

Mika Godts put the hosts further ahead early into the second half with a sweeping finish from Bertrand Traoré’s cutback.

It was soon three for the Eredivisie giants from Kenneth Taylor’s drilled finish on the edge of the penalty area.

Godts doubled his tally on the rebound to meet Christian Rasmussen’s cutback from the righthand byline.

Francesco Farioli’s side will take on Slavia Prague in their next Europa fixture.

Rangers make short work of Malmö

Scorers: Bajrami 1′, McCausland 76′

Rangers began their Europa League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Malmö.

Nedim Bajrami produced a quickfire opener for the visitors after 55 seconds by turning the ball home after Cyriel Dessers hit the base of the post in the build-up.

Philippe Clement’s side continued to threaten Johan Dahlin’s goal with Bajrami, Dessers and Václav Černý all guilty of squandering gilt-edged chances at the Eleda Stadion.

But Ross McCausland ensured the Gers would take maximum points in the final 15 minutes after knocking down a loose ball and squeezing a shot into his near right-hand corner.

The Scottish Premiership outfit entertain Lyon in their next Europa encounter on 3 October.