Europa League

Europa League 2021/22 Matchday 1: Highlights and replays of all the big games as Leicester City, West Ham, Celtic and Rangers begin their European campaigns

West Ham United, Leicester City, Celtic and Rangers will be battling it out for European glory as the Europa League returns on BT Sport.

Published: 16 September 2021, 11.58pm | 2 min read

Less than four months after Villarreal beat Manchester United in a thrilling penalty shootout victory in Poland, the Europa League returned to BT Sport this week with four British representatives in the group stage.

West Ham United, Leicester, Celtic and Rangers are all competing to conquer Europe and they kicked off their continental campaigns on a jam-packed night of action on Thursday.

Read on, or jump to the game of your choice, for highlights and replays of every game.

BT Sport – the undisputed home of European football – will once again be with you every step of the way in the 2021/22 season, with exclusive live coverage of every single game from the Europa League and Champions League.

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Real Betis 4-3 Celtic

Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 West Ham

Rangers 0-2 Lyon

Leicester City 2-2 Napoli

Every other 5.45pm kick-off

Every other 8pm kick-off

Real Betis 4-3 Celtic - Watch replay

Celtic conceded four goals in 21 minutes on their return to Seville as they let slip a two-goal lead against Real Betis.

Ange Postecoglou’s side lost two goals in quick succession either side of half-time on their way to a 4-3 defeat.

The visitors deservedly led through Albian Ajeti’s goal and a penalty from Josip Juranovic but their opening Europa League group game turned in dramatic fashion just after the half-hour mark.

Full match report

Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 West Ham - Watch replay

West Ham announced themselves on the Europa League stage as goals from Michail Antonio and Declan Rice secured a 2-0 victory at Dinamo Zagreb.

The Hammers’ very own Ant and Dec provided the tea-time entertainment in Croatia by finding the net either side of half-time.

Antonio was probably only in the team due to the red card he picked up at Southampton, which has instead given him an enforced rest against Manchester United on Sunday.

But striker brought his sizzling domestic form to the continent with his fifth goal of the season.

Full match report

Rangers 0-2 Lyon - Watch replay

Steven Gerrard’s 50th European tie as Rangers boss ended in a 2-0 Europa League defeat by Lyon at Ibrox.

Cameroon international Karl Toko Ekambi fired in a terrific opener for the French side after 22 minutes of the Group A opener in Govan.

The Scottish champions had come close on a few occasions in the first half but in the 55th minute Gers skipper James Tavernier put through his own goal trying to stop a close-range shot from Islam Slimani and, despite a huge effort from the home side, it was too big a lead to claw back.

Full match report

Leicester City 2-2 Napoli - Watch replay

Victor Osimhen denied Leicester the perfect start in the Europa League as Napoli hit back from 2-0 down to snatch a point.

The striker struck twice in the second half as the visitors deservedly grabbed a 2-2 draw in Group C at the King Power Stadium.

Ayoze Perez’s first goal since March and Harvey Barnes’ second-half goal gave the Foxes a commanding lead.

But Osimhen grabbed a classy lifeline for the visitors and then headed in a late leveller, with Leicester’s frustrations compounded when Wilfred Ndidi was sent off in injury time.

Full match report