Europa League
Eintracht Frankfurt reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The German Bundesliga team gambled away the 2-1 win from the first leg at home against Betis Sevilla with a last-minute goal from Borja Iglesias (90′). In the 121st minute, ÖFB legionnaire Martin Hinteregger threw himself into a free-kick cross.
“The last-minute Eintracht was back today,” said Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner, a few minutes after the Upper Austrian had started a frenzy. “It was an incredible game. Great success. The way Filip (Kostic, note) brings the ball, how Martin throws himself in there – that gave us an excellent performance again today.” The fact that the goal was not attributed to Hinteregger but to Guido Rodriguez, who scored the goal himself, did not change the loud shouts of “Hinti”.
For Bayer Leverkusen, however, it was over in the round of 16 against Atalanta Bergamo. Leverkusen also lost the second leg in their own stadium 0:1 (0:0). Jeremie Boga (91st) scored the goal. Leverkusen lost the first leg in Italy 2-3 last week. RB Leipzig are without a fight in the quarter-finals after opponents Spartak Moscow were excluded from the competition because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Barcelona wins heated game in Istanbul
FC Barcelona is also in the last eight. After a goalless home draw, the Catalans won a heated game at Galatasaray 2-1 from a 1-0 deficit in Istanbul. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winning goal. Although the “Lions” of the Bosphorus took the lead after a corner kick by captain Marcao (28′), Pedri brought Barca back into the game with a nice individual performance (37′).
Aubameyang put the Catalans on course for the quarter-finals for the first time, and the 2-1 was easy for the former Arsenal striker at the end of a multiple opportunity (49th). After ten games for Barcelona, he now has seven goals. The Xaxi team didn’t close the sack, it remained a close and emotional affair until the end. In the finish, objects flew from the stands onto the lawn.
Aubameyang shoots Barca Next
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (49′) scored Bercelona’s winning goal with a sweep.
Dragovic is eliminated with Red Star Belgrade
Glasgow Rangers also advanced to the next round. The Scots lost 2-1 against Red Star Belgrade with Aleksander Dragovic, but had gained a good cushion with the 3-0 win in the first duel. AS Monaco were eliminated after a 1-1 home draw with Sporting Braga (first leg 0-2). Olympique Lyon, on the other hand, were promoted to a 1-1 draw at home against FC Porto after winning 1-0 in the first leg.
Like Frankfurt, West Ham United meanwhile had to go into extra time and beat four-time Europa League champions Sevilla 2-0 at home. Like local rivals Betis, Sevilla missed the final in their own city. The Ukrainian Andrij Jarmolenko scored in the extra time to make it 2-0 and then sent a prayer to heaven. The quarterfinals will be played on April 7th and 14th. The draw for the round of eight and the semi-finals will take place in Nyon on Friday.