Celta Vigo through to last 32 with comfortable victory in Greece

Celta Vigo claimed their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a straightforward 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in Athens.

The result never seemed in doubt after John Guidetti opened the scoring in the fourth minute but Fabian Orellana made victory certain with a 76th-minute penalty.

Celta had still needed to better Standard Liege's result against Ajax to be sure of progressing from Group G but the Belgians were held to a 1-1 draw.

Although Celta were waiting for news from elsewhere, they held almost complete control on the field.

Panathinaikos did spurn a gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the opening minutes as Lautaro Rinaldi slid onto an inch-perfect cross from Lucas Villafanez but he fired straight at Ruben Blanco.

The Greeks were immediately made to pay for that miss as Celta opened the scoring seconds later as Guidetti rose to meet a cross from Hugo Mallo and headed home via a deflection off Giandomenico Mesto.

Panathinaikos, already consigned to the bottom of the group, offered little after that, allowing Celta to control the game.

The Spanish side threatened a second as Mallo whipped in another dangerous cross but this time Daniel Wass headed wide.

Nemanja Radoja created a shooting chance as he flicked the ball up and turned to volley but he miscued wide.

The second half lacked intensity as Panathinaikos seemed resigned to their fate and Celta appeared comfortable with the situation.

Orellana tried his luck from a free-kick after a poor foul by Mubarak Wakaso but it was deflected wide.

But the same player was given a better chance to wrap up the game from the penalty spot after an even worse foul by Rodrigo Moledo on Guidetti. Guidetti had broken free in the penalty area but lost possession. Moledo swung his boot in an attempt to clear, completely missed the ball and kicked Guidetti in the chest.

He may have been lucky to escape further punishment but Orellana made no mistake from 12 yards.

It put the seal on the result and Celta successfully played out time before celebrating their progress in the competition.