The UEFA Europa League round of 16 produced drama, late goals, and narrow margins as several teams gained crucial advantages ahead of the second leg.
In Greece, Panathinaikos edged past Real Betis 1-0 in a tense encounter. The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Anass Zaroury received his second yellow card just after the hour mark, but they showed remarkable resilience.
With the match seemingly drifting toward a stalemate, substitute Karol Świderski won a late penalty following a VAR review. Vicente Taborda calmly converted in the 87th minute to secure a dramatic victory and maintain Panathinaikos’ impressive home record.
Elsewhere in France, Aston Villa claimed a valuable 1-0 win against Lille OSC. The contest offered few chances until the second half, when striker Ollie Watkins produced a moment of quality.
Meeting Emiliano Buendía’s flick-on, Watkins looped a clever header over the goalkeeper in the 61st minute to hand Villa a slender but significant lead ahead of the return leg in England.
At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest were left frustrated after dominating large spells against FC Midtjylland. Despite creating numerous opportunities, the hosts failed to convert their chances.
They were punished late in the game when substitute Cho Gue-Sung rose to head home the winner in the 80th minute, giving the Danish side a crucial away victory.
Meanwhile in Budapest, Ferencvárosi TC produced an impressive performance to defeat SC Braga 2–0.
Goals from Gabi Kanichowsky and Lenny Joseph sealed a deserved result for the Hungarian side, leaving Braga with significant work to do in the second leg.
With quarter-final places at stake, the upcoming return fixtures promise even more tension and high-stakes football across Europe.