Eintracht Frankfurt and Olympique Lyon took big steps towards the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday with away victories at Real Betis and Porto in the first leg of their round of 16 ties.
Frankfurt should have been out of sight but return from Seville with a 2-1 win thanks to Filip Kostic and Daichi Kamada's first half goals either side of of Nabil Fekir's equalizer.
Home keeper Claudio Bravo kept his side alive heading to Frankfurt for next week's second leg with a string of fine saves, including from a second half Rafael Borre penalty.
"I'm very, very happy," said Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. "It was a fantastic performance and a top display.
"It looks very good. But it is only half-time."
Porto-Lyon
Lyon struck the only goal in Porto just before the hour when Moussa Dembele's clever assist set up Lucas Paquetá to secure a 1-0 win.
The hosts were frustrated by video review ruling out Chancel Mbemba's potential equalizer deep into injury-time having also had a penalty award overturned.
The remaining first leg ties, including Barcelona v Galatasaray, are on Thursday.
