AFCON 2025
The knockout play-off round of the UEFA Europa League produced commanding away performances and tightly contested battles across Europe on Thursday night, with Nottingham Forest delivering the standout result of the evening.
Forest stunned Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, while Racing Genk seized control of their tie in Croatia. Elsewhere, several fixtures remain finely balanced ahead of the decisive second legs.
Nottingham Forest FC produced a statement performance, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Fenerbahçe SK at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The Premier League side combined defensive discipline and clinical finishing to put themselves firmly in control of the tie. The visitors struck early and never dropped momentum, leaving the Turkish giants facing a daunting task in the return leg.
In Croatia, Racing Genk secured a crucial 3-1 away win against Dinamo Zagreb. The Belgian side capitalised on defensive lapses to build a comfortable advantage, with their attacking efficiency proving decisive. Dinamo managed to pull one back but now travel for the second leg needing a strong response.
Celta de Vigo also impressed on the road, edging PAOK FC 2-1 in Thessaloniki. The Spanish side showed composure in key moments to claim a valuable away victory, although PAOK’s late goal keeps the contest alive.
Bologna FC 1909 claimed a narrow but important 1-0 win over SK Brann in Norway. The Italian side relied on defensive solidity after taking the lead, carrying a slim advantage into the second leg.
At Celtic Park, VfB Stuttgart emerged with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Celtic FC. The Bundesliga side absorbed pressure for large spells and made their breakthrough count, leaving Celtic with work to do away from home.
Panathinaikos FC suffered a setback in Athens, falling 1-0 to Viktoria Plzeň. The Czech side’s disciplined performance and decisive goal handed them the edge heading into the reverse fixture.
Two matches ended without goals. Lille OSC and Red Star Belgrade played out a tense stalemate, while Ludogorets Razgrad and Ferencváros TC also shared the spoils in a goalless encounter, leaving both ties delicately poised.
With places in the Round of 16 at stake, attention now shifts to the second-leg fixtures, where teams trailing from the first meetings will look to overturn deficits and extend their European campaigns.
