In a thrilling night of Europa League action, AS Roma secured their spot in the last 16 after defeating Feyenoord 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, mirroring the first-leg result. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague caused an upset by defeating Galatasaray 4-1 at home, advancing 6-4 on aggregate after a 3-2 first-leg defeat.
Roma’s Victory and Dramatic Penalty Shootout:
Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar emerged as the hero for his side, denying David Hancko and Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the decisive penalty shootout, securing Roma’s passage to the knockout stages. The Italian side had fought back after Feyenoord took an early lead through Santiago Gimenez, with Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini equalizing with a stunning curled shot. Despite Roma’s dominance, Feyenoord’s defense held firm, forcing the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
Sparta Prague Stuns Galatasaray:
Sparta Prague orchestrated a remarkable comeback against Galatasaray, overturning a first-leg deficit with a resounding 4-1 victory at home. The Czech champions capitalized on their numerical advantage after Kaan Ayhan’s red card, scoring three goals to secure their progression to the next round.
Other Highlights from the Europa League:
Sporting Lisbon advanced with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Young Boys, despite conceding a late goal in the return leg.
Olympique de Marseille overcame Shakhtar Donetsk with a 3-1 victory, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang becoming the competition’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals.
Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, Benfica, and Freiburg also booked their places in the knockout stages with impressive performances.
Looking Ahead:
As the Europa League progresses, the competition promises more excitement and drama as teams vie for a coveted spot in the latter stages. With notable upsets and standout performances, the journey to the final continues to captivate football fans worldwide.
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Credit: Anita Kobylinska