GROUP L

Substitute Olivier Giroud saved Chelsea from an embarrassing Europa League loss at Vidi. His fine free-kick 15 minutes from time earned a 2-2 draw in a match of little consequence for the Blues, who had already qualified for the last 32 as Group L winners. Vidi finished third, as BATE Borisov joined Chelsea in the knockout stages.

It took 30 minutes for the first real moment of quality to arrive, when Willian was brought down by Szabolcs Huszti 25 yards out.the Brazil playmaker curled in the resulting free-kick.

Vidi’s reply was immediate. They forced a corner, taken by Huszti, and Marko Scepovic’s header deflected in off the unfortunate Ethan Ampadu for an own goal.

Loic Nego forced Willy Caballero into a strong save but the Vidi forward did beat the Blues goalkeeper 11 minutes into the second half with a superbly-struck volley.

It was the first time Chelsea had fallen behind in the Europa League this season. Callum Hudson-odoi had an opportunity, but his shot was too close to Adam Kovacsik. Emerson Palmieri then crossed for Giroud, but the Frenchman – who had replaced the injured Alvaro Morata – could only divert the ball wide at the near post.

However, Giroud stepped up to score Chelsea’s equaliser after a Paulo Vinicius foul on Cesc Fabregas, 20 yards out. His curling strike beat a defender on the line to go in off the underside of the bar.