Paulo Dybala made a remarkable return from injury, scoring twice within four minutes as Roma triumphed over Porto with a 3-2 victory, thus securing a place in the Europa League round of 16. The aggregate score stood at 4-3 in favor of Roma after this thrilling encounter held on Thursday.
Initially, Porto took the lead with an impressive acrobatic volley from Samu, giving them a 2-1 advantage on aggregate. However, Dybala quickly turned the tide in Roma’s favor, netting an equalizer in the 35th minute with a precise left-footed shot that found the far corner of the net. He followed up shortly after with another expertly placed finish from inside the box, putting Roma ahead. Porto’s chances took a significant hit when Stephen Eustáquio received a red card merely six minutes into the second half.
Before time elapsed, substitute Niccolò Pisilli added a third goal for Roma, although Devyne Rensch of Porto would later score an own goal during stoppage time. As the reigning champions of the 2022 Conference League, Roma’s next challenge awaits, where they will face either Lazio or Athletic Bilbao.
In a separate matchup, the game between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was temporarily halted due to disturbances among the crowd in Brussels. The disruption occurred shortly after Youssef En-Nesyri’s early goal for Fenerbahce, which had previously secured a 3-0 lead from the first leg. The match concluded with a 2-2 draw, allowing Fenerbahce to advance with a 5-2 aggregate score. UEFA mentioned that the game was paused for security concerns, resulting in riot police being deployed. After around 15 minutes, play resumed.
Alkmaar progressed into the next round following a 2-2 draw against Galatasaray, finishing 6-3 on aggregate. Goals from Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius for Alkmaar were answered by Victor Osimhen for Galatasaray, but an equalizer from Roland Sallai ensured the home side finished on a high note. Alkmaar will be looking ahead to a matchup with either Manchester United or Tottenham.
On another front, Romanian club FCSB secured a 2-0 win against PAOK, finishing with a 4-1 aggregate score. Norway’s Bodø/Glimt made headlines as well, scoring two goals in extra time to defeat Twente 5-2 on the night and 6-4 overall. An exciting finish saw three goals in stoppage time propel the game into extra time, where Sondre Brunstad Fet and Arno Verschueren’s own goal sealed their triumph. Currently, Bodø/Glimt is on a winter break, set to resume its domestic league on March 29.
Luka Su?i?’s stellar performance, marked by two first-half goals, propelled Real Sociedad to a convincing 5-2 win against Midtjylland, allowing them to advance with a 7-3 aggregate score. They, too, will face either Tottenham or Manchester United next round. Viktoria Plzen turned the tables on Ferencvaros with a decisive 3-0 victory, overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
In another match, Ajax’s initial 2-0 lead over Saint-Gilloise evaporated in the first half when Davy Klaassen was sent off, putting the team at a numerical disadvantage. However, substitute Kenneth Taylor managed to convert a penalty kick in extra time, ensuring Ajax’s progression.
The eight playoff triumphs will be unseeded during Friday’s draw and will host first-leg games on March 6. The leading eight teams in the league standings, including Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, and Tottenham, have secured their positions in the round of 16 and will host their second legs on March 13.
Turning to the Conference League, Real Betis faced a tense finale when they were reduced to 10 men shortly before full time but managed to hold onto a 3-0 lead from the first leg. Molde also finished a player short in their match against Shamrock Rovers, yet they progressed after a successful penalty shootout following a 1-0 victory in Dublin.
Copenhagen edged through with a 3-1 extra-time win against Heidenheim, concluding with a 4-3 aggregate result. In an all-Cypriot face-off, Pafos triumphed against Omonoia with a 2-1 victory after an initial 1-1 draw. Bosnia’s Borac held Olimpija to a goalless draw, securing advancement with a 1-0 aggregate score, while Panathinaikos continued their campaign with a 2-0 win over Víkingur Reykjavík, pushing their aggregate to 3-2. Jagiellonia also advanced with a comprehensive 6-2 aggregate after winning 3-1 at home, and Celje emerged victorious over APOEL with a 2-0 match win to secure their next round place.
