Borussia Moenchengladbach enjoyed an historic first Champions League

win on Wednesday as their 4-2 home victory over Sevilla ended the

Spaniards’ hopes of reaching the knock-out phase.

A brace by Lars Stindl, plus goals from Fabian Johnson and Raffael

capped Gladbach’s win which lifted them off the bottom of Group D in an

impressive display.

Manchester City and Juventus have wrapped up the last-16 qualifying spots from the group.

Bottom side Sevilla had needed a win at Borussia Park to keep alive

their faint hopes of reaching the last 16 but left only with two late

consolation goals from Vitolo and an Ever Banega penalty.

Gladbach coach Andre Schubert said his side had learnt from their 3-0 drubbing at Sevilla in September.

“We have learned our lesson and we were careful to stay calm,” said Schubert.

“It worked very well, we were very brave and courageous.”

Borussia, who are in the Champions League for the first time, enjoyed

their first home win in Europe since 1978 in the now defunct European

Cup.

Stindl, in the attacking midfielder role, was outstanding all evening with two goals and an assist for Raffael’s final goal.

Gladbach are now in pole position to finish third in the group and

qualify for the Europa League, as they have a two-point cushion over

Sevilla going into their final game at Manchester City in two weeks.

The victory came at a price as Guinea winger Ibrahima Traore limped

off after only 13 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury from taking a

corner.

Gladbach broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when captain Granit Xhaka

fired in a low shot, which skidded wide, and Stindl tapped it past

stranded Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

The hosts doubled the lead when USA international Johnson curled his

shot across the face of the goal, around Rico and into the far corner on

68 minutes.

Raffael then added the third when Stindl drew two defenders and

slipped the ball through the backline to the Brazilian, who was clinical

in his finishing on 78 minutes.

Sevilla enjoyed a brief moment of hope on 82 minutes when Fernando

Llorente flicked a pass over the defence and right winger Vitolo lobbed

Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Gladbach extended their lead within a minute when Stindl blasted in

his shot from 20 metres out with a superb strike for his third European

goal.

Gladbach captain Xhaka gave away a late penalty when he fouled

Grzegorz Krychowiak on the edge of the area and Banega blasted home the

spot kick.