Two goals in three second-half minutes, including a Steffen Hoffman penalty, saw Rapid Vienna win their opening Europa League Group E game against Villarreal this evening.
Rapid squandered a good chance to take the lead before the half-hour mark at the Ernst Happel Stadium after Philipp Prosenik managed to drag his shot wide of Mariano Barbosa's goal in a promising position.
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Instead, it was the Yellow Submarine who edged ahead on the stroke of half time, as Antonio Rukavina's low cross from the right flank was met by Leo Baptistao at the back post and his header beat the despairing dive of Jan Novota.
However, their lead lasted only five minutes into the second half as Hoffman's inswinging free kick found Stefan Schwab, and after the midfielder's first attempt was blocked by the Villarreal backline, the Rapid number eight prodded his follow-up effort past Barbosa.
On 53 minutes, Vienna were awarded a penalty after Daniele Bonera brought down Prosenik in the area.
Hoffman stepped up and managed to send the Argentine keeper the wrong way as Rapid closed in on victory.
Villarreal tried to find a way back on terms as both Rukavina and Baptistao missed the target around the hour mark, but the Austrian side were able to hold on and move second in the group behind Viktoria Plzen.
Chris O'Keefe
