MADRID, Jan, 30 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad both had good nights in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday as they achieved their respective objectives from the group stage.

Athletic secured a 3-1 home victory over Czech side Viktoria Plzen, ensuring they finished second in the 36-team group and qualified directly for the last 16.

Nico Williams opened the scoring after a pass from his brother Inaki Williams in the 25th minute, and Yeray Alvarez headed them into a 2-0 lead 20 minutes into the second half.

A counter-attack from Plzen caught Athletic flat-footed and Milan Havel got them back into the game with a smart finish in the 71st minute, but substitute Daniel Vasulin's red card for a bad challenge on Oscar de Marcos in the last minute ended the visitors' hopes, and Javier Marton's chip over Martin Jedlicka deep into injury time ensured Athletic's sixth win from eight games.

Real Sociedad ensured a place in the play-off round for the last 16 with a 2-0 win at home to Greek outfit PAOK thanks to a brace from striker Orri Oskarsson.

The Iceland striker opened the scoring with a free header close to halftime and saw another goal ruled out before the break, but then doubled his side's lead early in the second half following Aitor Elustondo's cross from the right.

The win left Real Sociedad 13th in the group, while PAOK also reached the play-off round in 22nd place.

Viktoria Plzen finished 16th and could meet Athletic again in the last 16 after the play-offs, depending on the results of Friday's draw. Enditem

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