Bruno Fernandes scored three goals as Manchester United comfortably secured a 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad, advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals. Tottenham Hotspur progressed following a 3-1 triumph over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
Key Matches and Upcoming Quarter-Final Clashes
United will meet Olympique Lyonnais in the quarterfinals after the French team secured a 4-0 victory against Steaua Bucharest, while Rangers triumphed over Fenerbahce 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 tie on aggregate.
Fernandes Hat-Trick Seals Dominant Win
Manchester United, who ended the first leg against Sociedad in a 1-1 draw, fell behind early when Matthijs de Ligt fouled Mikel Oyarzabal, allowing Oyarzabal to score from the penalty spot after just 10 minutes. However, the hosts equalized six minutes later with a penalty taken by Fernandes after Igor Zubeldia committed a foul on Rasmus Hojlund.
Penalties and Red Card Decide the Tie
A second penalty allowed United to take the lead five minutes into the second half after Patrick Dorgu was ruled to have been fouled by Aritz Elustondo, and once again, Fernandes converted without fail.
Sociedad found themselves down to 10 players after Jon Aramburu committed a foul on Joshua Zirkzee, and Fernandes achieved his hat-trick prior to Diogo Dalot securing a 5-2 aggregate win for the English team during added time.
Bruno Fernandes on United Winning Mentality
This club is all about winning, Fernandes stated in an interview with TNT Sports.
Confidence plays a crucial role in football, especially at this club, where you’re constantly in the spotlight. It’s essential to deliver your best performance consistently.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Triumph Against AZ Alkmaar
The success of Spurs’ season largely depended on their ability to overcome a 1-0 disadvantage against AZ Alkmaar in the third encounter between the teams in this year’s tournament.
They achieved this due to two goals from Wilson Odobert, marking the French young player’s first for the club since his arrival in August.
Odobert netted the first goal in the 26th minute following a failed clearance by AZ’s Wouter Goes, and shortly after the interval, the home team extended their aggregate lead when Son Heung-min assisted James Maddison, who finished with a side-footed shot into the corner.
AZ received an opportunity to re-enter the match in the 63rd minute when Peer Koopmeiners capitalized on a defensive mistake to send a shot past Guglielmo Vicario.
Odobert found the net once more in the 74th minute, calming the nerves of the home crowd by capitalizing on a well-structured Tottenham move from close distance.
Other Europa League Quarter-Final Results
Spurs are set to play against Eintracht Frankfurt, who comfortably progressed with a 6-2 aggregate triumph over Ajax Amsterdam, following a 4-1 win at home where Mario Gotze netted two goals.
Lyon, leading 3-1 from the first leg, comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals, thanks to outstanding performances from Ernest Nuamah and Georges Mikautdze, who each found the net twice.
Rangers Penalty Shootout Drama Against Fenerbahce
Rangers had secured a 3-1 victory in Turkey, but Fenerbahce fought back, netting two goals from Sebastian Szymanski to push the match into extra time. Ultimately, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout, where Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland emerged as the hero of Ibrox.
Butland made an impressive save on the opening penalty taken by Dusan Tadic. Following that, he kept out a second spot-kick from Ianis Hagi, showcasing his skills. He also denied Fred’s attempt before Mert Hakan Yandas sent his shot soaring over the bar. As a result, Rangers secured their place in the next round to face Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao Overcome 10-Man AS Roma
The Spanish team defeated AS Roma with a 3-1 scoreline, taking advantage of the Italian side being reduced to 10 men after Mats Hummels received an early red card. The hosts’ Nico Williams found the net twice, sandwiching a goal from Yuri Berchiche in between.
Leandro Paredes of Roma successfully converted a late penalty kick, but it was the Spanish side that moved forward with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Lazio and Bodo/Glimt Edge Through
Lazio headed into the second leg against Viktoria Plzen with a 2-1 advantage but found themselves trailing after Pavel Sulc scored early in the second half. However, they managed to secure a 1-1 draw, clinching the tie with a 3-2 aggregate victory, thanks to a late header from Alessio Romagnoli.
The Italians are set to face Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt, who, despite losing 2-1 to Olympiacos, managed to progress with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
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