Europa League highlights and round-up: Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers reach last 16
Thursday, January 30, 2025
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Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers secured direct passage to the UEFA Europa League round of 16 with Matchday 8 wins.
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Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers secured wins on the final night of the league phase to seal direct passage to the UEFA Europa League round of 16.
UEFA.com rounds up the Matchday 8 action.
Matchday 8 results
Thursday 30 January
Roma 2-0 Frankfurt
Ajax 2-1 Galatasaray
Rangers 2-1 Union SG
Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg
Slavia Praha 2-2 Malmö
Real Sociedad 2-0 PAOK
Braga 1-0 Lazio
Olympiacos 3-0 Qarabağ
Lyon 1-1 Ludogorets
M. Tel-Aviv 0-1 Porto
Ferencváros 4-3 AZ Alkmaar
Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 RFS
Midtjylland 2-2 Fenerbahçe
Athletic Club 3-1 Viktoria Plzeň
Nice 1-1 Bodø/Glimt
Anderlecht 3-4 Hoffenheim
Twente 1-0 Beşiktaş
FCSB 0-2 Manchester United
FCSB 0-2 Manchester United
The Red Devils posted another win to become the only side to make it through the inaugural league phase unbeaten. Alejandro Garnacho and captain Bruno Fernandes both hit the woodwork for Ruben Amorim's team before Diogo Dalot converted a Kobbie Mainoo cross from close range on the hour. FCSB almost hit back immediately, but Daniel Bîrligea was denied by the crossbar, with Mainoo then making sure of the victory via a perfectly placed effort.
Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg
Three second-half goals ensured a top-eight finish for Ange Postecoglou's side. Dane Scarlett came off the bench to nod the hosts in front before setting up 19-year-old Oyindamola Ajayi for a goal on his Spurs debut to double their advantage. Mikey Moore, 17, wrapped up the victory with a superb individual effort (his first for the club), setting off on a mazy run and executing a low shot in added time.
Rangers 2-1 Union SG
Rangers progressed directly into the round of 16 as the final top-eight team courtesy of a narrow victory. Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin headed the hosts side in front and Václav Černý added a fine second to provide a measure of security, which proved crucial when Kevin Mac Allister pulled one back late on. Philippe Clement's men ultimately clung on to secure a last-eight berth by virtue of their overall goal difference.
Who has qualified?
Confirmed in round of 16
Athletic Club, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio, Lyon, Manchester United, Olympiacos, Rangers, Tottenham
Seeded sides in knockout phase play-offs
Ajax, Anderlecht, Bodø/Glimt, FCSB, Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, Roma, Viktoria Plzeň
Unseeded sides in knockout phase play-offs
AZ Alkmaar, Fenerbahçe, Ferencváros, Midtjylland, PAOK, Porto, Twente, Union SG
Elimination confirmed
Beşiktaş, Braga, Dynamo Kyiv, Elfsborg, Hoffenheim, Ludogorets, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Malmö, Nice, Qarabağ, RFS, Slavia Praha
Best of the rest
- Lazio finished the league phase top of the rankings despite a last-night defeat at Braga. Ricardo Horta's sixth-minute goal proved to be the winner, though the Arsenalistas finished just outside the top 24.
- Fenerbahçe claimed the final play-off place, with a 2-2 draw at Midtjylland proving just enough for José Mourinho's side. Porto also qualified, Nico González's goal against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Belgrade ending a five-game winless run (D1 L4) for the Dragons.
- Last season's Conference League top scorer Ayoub El Kaabi ended the league phase as the top Europa League marksman, with a quickfire second-half double against Qarabağ moving the Olympiacos man on to seven.
When are the Europa League knockout phase games?
Knockout phase play-offs: 13 & 20 February 2025
Round of 16: 6 & 13 March 2025
Quarter-finals: 10 & 17 April 2025
Semi-finals: 1 & 8 May 2025
Final: 21 May 2025