AFCON 2025
It was a dramatic night of Europa League second qualifying round second-leg action as several teams sealed their places in the next phase of the competition with tight wins, extra-time drama, and penalty shootouts.
In Cyprus, AEK Larnaca came from behind to edge out NK Celje 2–1 on the night and 3–2 on aggregate. Goals from Chacón and Ángel gave the hosts control before Celje pulled one back late, but it wasn’t enough to force extra time.
Swedish side BK Häcken produced arguably the most thrilling result of the evening, overturning a first-leg deficit against Anderlecht to level the tie 2–2 on aggregate before triumphing 4–2 in a penalty shootout.
Veteran goalkeeper Etrit Berisha not only made a key save but also stepped up to convert the decisive penalty in a match that stretched into extra time.
Romanian outfit CFR Cluj also needed extra time to eliminate Swiss side Lugano. With both legs goalless over 180 minutes, Sinyan popped up with the winner in the 96th minute to send Cluj through.
Elsewhere, Dutch side FC Utrecht were dominant in their 4–1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol, completing a 7–2 aggregate rout to underline their continental ambitions.
Shakhtar Donetsk cruised past Beşiktaş with a 2–0 home win that capped a 6–2 aggregate scoreline, brushing aside the Turkish side with ease. In Portugal, Braga managed a narrow 1–0 win over Levski Sofia to progress, with their lone goal over two legs proving just enough.
Scottish club Hibernian saw their Europa League hopes dashed in heartbreaking fashion. Despite battling bravely against Midtjylland and forcing extra time, they conceded a stunning overhead-kick winner from Junior Brumado in added time to lose 2–1 on the night and 3–2 on aggregate. Hibs will now drop into the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The evening was marked by a mix of gritty defensive efforts, clinical attacking play, and high-stakes tension that delivered late drama and underlined the unforgiving nature of European qualifiers.
