Europa League is Europe’s second-tier continental competition, yet there was a tie in this season’s knockout stage that drew international notice.
Barcelona lost to Manchester United in a two-legged matchup in February after placing last in their group, behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
After a nail-biting 2-2 tie in the first leg, United prevailed 2-1 at home to advance.
With a 2-1 victory on the night and a 4-3 triumph overall on Thursday, Manchester United defeated Barcelona to go to the Europa League’s round of 16.
At Old Trafford, Barca got off to the ideal start thanks to a penalty from Robert Lewandowski early on.
The La Liga leaders, however, were once more defeated by the transition to the European stage as Fred tied the score early in the second period before Antony produced his most memorable performance since moving to Manchester United from Ajax.
In a game that counted toward the Europa League requalification flight, PSV defeated Sevilla 2-0.
Despite numerous clear opportunities, the visitors were unable to score the decisive goal, but because to their 3-0 victory in the first leg, they were still able to advance.
PSV Eindhoven defeated their Spanish opponents on the night but lost 3-2 overall after Sevilla goalie Marko Dmitrovic was attacked by a pitch invader.
Juventus easily advanced into the round of 16 of the Europa League with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Nantes thanks to an incredible hat-trick from Angel Di Maria.
The Ligue 1 team had given the Italian powerhouses a lot of trouble in Turin during the first leg, but Juve outclassed their opponents and advanced to the next round with ease.
In the second leg of their encounter against Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen overcame a 3-2 deficit from the first leg and triumphed by the same score on Thursday night in the principality.
Union Berlin defeated Ajax 3-1 thanks to goals from Robin Knoche, Josip Juranovic, and Danilho Doekhi for the home team. Ajax scored with Mohammed Kudus and had Edson Alvarez sent off after 97 minutes.
Roma defeated FC Salzburg 2-0 at home on Thursday in their Europa League playoff second leg, the Italian team advanced to the round of 16 with a 2-1 overall score. Goals from Andrea Belotti and Paulo Dybala were the difference.
When Salzburg won the first leg 1-0 in Austria on a late header from midfielder Nicolas Capaldo, Jose Mourinho’s team, who had trailed going into the second leg, attacked hard right away in Rome.
Roma rallied in the decisive match at the Stadio Olimpico to go to the round of 16. Belotti tied the score on the overall scoreboard before Dybala scored the winner.
Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine hasn’t played in their hometown since 2014.
The Russians keep their weapons in the subterranean parking garage of their facility in Donbas.
Several international athletes have left, notably renowned winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who was traded to Chelsea last month.
But, Shakhtar Donetsk has bluffed their way into the Europa League round of 16 with a victory over French team Rennes.
The playoff match winners advanced to the Round of 16 of the Europa League.
Europa League Knockout Round Draw And Results
The winners of the playoff round will face the winner of their group in the Europa League in the Round of 16. The eight Europa League group winners received byes into the Round of 16 without having to play.
Matchups in the two-leg playoffs took place in February. On February 24, the day after the playoff round is through, there will be a draw for the Round of 16.
Europa League Knockout playoffs (1st Leg)
| Match result | Date |
|---|---|
| Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United | Feb 16 |
| Juventus 1-1 Nantes | Feb 16 |
| Sporting CP 1-1 Midtjylland | Feb 16 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Stade Rennes | Feb 16 |
| Ajax 0-0 Union Berlin | Feb 16 |
| Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 AS Monaco | Feb 16 |
| Sevilla 3-0 PSV Eindhoven | Feb 16 |
| RB Salzburg 1-0 AS Roma | Feb 16 |
Europa League Knockout playoffs (2nd Leg)
| Match | 1st Leg |
|---|---|
| Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona | Feb 23 |
| Nantes 0-3 Juventus | Feb 23 |
| Midtjylland 0-4 Sporting CP | Feb 23 |
| Stade Rennes 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (4-5 on pens) | Feb 23 |
| Union Berlin 3-1 Ajax | Feb 23 |
| AS Monaco 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen (3-5 on pens) | Feb 23 |
| PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Sevilla | Feb 23 |
| AS Roma 2-0 RB Salzburg | Feb 23 |
