Besiktas eliminated from Europa League on penalties

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Besiktas were stunned Thursday by Rio Ave in the UEFA Europa League as the Portuguese club beat the Black Eagles in the third qualifying round on penalties.

Besiktas led the match in the 15th minute, as Turkish forward Guven Yalcin netted against Rio Ave at Vodafone Park, Istanbul.

The Black Eagles were unable to secure the lead as the visitors pulled the level in the 85th minute.

Bruno Moreira scored the late equalizer with header.

In the extra time, none of the teams could score the winning goal as the match went to penalties.

Besiktas's Bernard Mensah and Gokhan Tore scored the penalties, but Welinton Souza Silva and Cyle Larin missed from the white spot.

Rio Ave were flawless in scoring all four penalty kicks.

With a 4-2 win at the penalty shoot-out, the Portuguese team were through the Europa League playoffs.

So, Besiktas have been eliminated from the European campaign.