Japan's Ritsu Doan scored the winner as Freiburg beat Qarabag 2-1 in Group G of the Europa League on Thursday, with Takefusa Kubo also starring for Real Sociedad in their 1-0 win at Manchester United in Group E.

Vincenzo Grifo scored a seventh-minute penalty for Freiburg before attacker Doan doubled the home side's lead in the 15th minute when he cut in from the right and guided a low effort into the far bottom corner.

The German outfit conceded in the 39th minute when Marko Vesovic scored from distance but held on to edge their Azerbaijani opposition.

Ritsu Doan (42) of Freiburg reacts after scoring in their 2-1 defeat of Qarabag in Europa League Group G in Freiburg, Germany on Sept. 8, 2022. (Kyodo)

Kubo took center stage at Old Trafford, creating several chances against the English giants featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and big-money summer signing Casemiro.

The 59th-minute winner arrived after Kubo laid the ball off to David Silva whose shot from inside the box made contact with a defender's hand. Brais Mendez converted low to his right from the spot.

Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad (C) is pictured in action against Manchester United during their Europa League Group E match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Sept. 8, 2022. (Kyodo)

Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu played the entire game as Arsenal won 2-1 away to Zurich in Group A, while attacker Takumi Minamino played 57 minutes as Monaco won 1-0 at Crvena Zvezda in Group H.

Midfielder Genki Haraguchi played for an hour as Union Berlin were beaten 1-0 at home to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.


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