Elfsborg won surprisingly at home against Italian Roma and secured a draw away against Braga from Portugal.
The results show that Elfsborg can measure up to the teams in the Europa League.
But away against Athletic Bilbao, the Borås club had a tough time.
To a large extent, the class difference was about Nico Williams.
The 22-year-old excelled in the Spanish national team last summer and ensured that the national team won the European Championship final against England at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.
Against the English, Williams – named the final's best player – gave Spain the lead two minutes into the second half. With four minutes left of full-time, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal.
Against Elfsborg, the star was without full hits.
But he was highly involved anyway.
Williams hit the corner that was headed on and then Adama Boiro thundered in behind goalkeeper Isak Pettersson. That was after six minutes of the match at Estadio de San Mamés.
When Beñat Prados nodded in 2–0 after 24 minutes – that was thanks to Williams.
He made his way forward on the flank, overstepped Ibrahim Buhari, and then put in a precise ball to the goal-scorer.
Gorka Guruzeta made it 3–0 in the 54th minute.
For Elfsborg, with four points after five matches, remaining are Qarabag, at home on December 12, Nice, at home on January 23, and Tottenham, away on January 30.
