Rotterdam, Nov 28 (IANS): Feyenoord defeated defending champions Sevilla 2-0 to advance to the round of 32 of the Europa League at the Stadion Feijenoord here.

After a goalless first half, Jens Toornstra broke the deadlock for the home team in the 55th minute. He received the ball from Jean-Paul Boetius who had dribbled through the Spanish defense Thursday, reports Xinhua.

Feyenoord doubled the lead seven minutes from time as Colin Kazim-Richards placed the ball to Karim El Ahmadi with his chest and the latter beat goalkeeper Sergio Rico with a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area.

Meanwhile, NK Rijeka from Croatia beat Standard Liege 2-0, which meant Feyenoord's victory was enough to secure a place in the next phase. The Dutch club now lead Group G with nine points, one more than Sevilla, two more than Rijeka and five more than Standard.

In the next round Dec 11, Sevilla will take on Rijeka and Feyenoord play away at Standard Liege. The best two teams of each group will go through with Sevilla and Rijeka playing for the second berth in the next round.