Bruno Soriano’s second-half goal was enough to give Villarreal a 1-0 victory against Rapid Vienna as the La Liga outfit secured their progression into the Europa League knock-out stage.

Yellow Submarine captain Bruno prodded home from close range with 12 minutes remaining to ensure that Marcelino’s side head into match-day six joint-top of Group E alongside the Austrians.

Stefan Stangl should have pulled Vienna – playing in their 250th competitive European fixture – level shortly after, but he could only poke his effort wide from six-yards out.

Villarreal have now won their last four Europa League fixtures, and face Viktoria Plzen in the final round of group matches, while Vienna will host Dinamo Minsk.

The hosts started brightly, with Dennis Suarez particularly affective down the left flank, while Cedric Bakambu would have scored if not for a brave save by Jan Novota.

After Bakambu had squandered another close-range opportunity on the stroke of half-time, Roberto Soldado saw two strikes flash just wide following the restart as Villarreal began to stamp their authority on proceedings.

Soldado went even closer soon after, but he could only direct his effort against the woodwork from two-yards out after Novota had parried Samu’s shot into his path.

But the deadlock was finally broken when Suarez’ corner fell to Bruno, who calmly slotted into the bottom-left corner.

Vienna almost snatched an equaliser late on through Stangl after he had negotiated his way through on goal, but his toe-poked effort trickled harmlessly wide as the visitors suffered their first defeat of their Europa League campaign.

With the duo level on points and boasting the same head-to-head record, there is nothing between them heading into match-day six.