Southampton’s hopes of reaching the Europa League’s knockout stages have been left in the balance after defeat at Sparta Prague. A familiarly ineffective performance against a team they had beaten earlier this season means they must at least draw at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva in December if they are to qualify.
They came to Prague in the knowledge victory against a team they overcame 3-0 in their first Group K fixture would likely mean a first-placed finish. Costa Nhamoinesu’s early goal instead proved enough to ensure Sparta will finish top, and Southampton have lost their chance of being seeded.
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