The Europa League witnessed compelling second-leg clashes on Thursday, March 14, with Liverpool and West Ham delivering dominant performances to secure their spots in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Olympique de Marseille narrowly avoided a stunning comeback to advance, while Bayer Leverkusen faced a late surge to overcome adversity.
West Ham’s resounding victory over Friborg marked a stellar performance, as they overturned their first-leg deficit with a commanding 5-0 win.
Mohammed Kudus starred for the Hammers, netting twice to propel his team to a convincing victory and secure their place in the next round.
Liverpool, the favorites in the Europa League, showcased their formidable strength by dispatching Sparta Prague with a resounding 6-1 victory.
Mohamed Salah, in his first start since returning from injury after the Africa Cup of Nations, delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a goal and providing three assists to lead his team to victory.
Similarly, AS Roma comfortably secured their place in the quarter-finals despite a 1-0 loss to Brighton, having triumphed 4-0 in the first leg.
AC Milan also progressed after defeating Slavia Prague 3-1 on aggregate, maintaining their European campaign.
However, Olympique de Marseille endured a nerve-wracking encounter against Villarreal, narrowly avoiding a remarkable comeback.
Despite winning the first leg 4-0, Marseille suffered a 3-1 defeat in the return leg, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late goal ultimately securing their passage to the next round.
Bayer Leverkusen faced a tense battle against Qarabag, trailing before staging a late comeback to secure a 3-2 victory.
Patrik Schick’s brace in stoppage time proved pivotal in overturning the deficit and ensuring Leverkusen’s progression.
In other fixtures, Benfica clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rangers Glasgow, securing their spot in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Atalanta secured their progression with a 2-1 win over Sporting, courtesy of a goal from Nigerian international Ademola Lookman.
As the Europa League quarter-finals loom, the stage is set for further captivating encounters as teams vie for continental glory.
