Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the record to score his 31st goal in the UEFA Europa League as Marseille edged past Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the last 16. Qarabag, reduced to 10 men, overcame Braga with a 120th-minute winner to move into the next round. Elsewhere, Freiburg came from behind to seal victory in extra time against RC Lens, while Sparta Prague stunned Galatasaray.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the all-time record for most goals scored in the UEFA Europa League as Marseille edged past Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the last 16.
After he equalled Radamel Falcao’s record in the first leg which ended 3-3, the striker broke the record with his 31st goal in the competition to cancel out Georgiy Sudakov’s early opener and get the Ligue 1 side back on level terms in the tie.
With the match heading for extra time, Aubamyenag’s deft touch set up Ismaila Sarr to slam home from 10 yards to put Marseille ahead, before Geoffrey Kondogbia added a brilliant third from a tight angle.
QARABAG STUN BRAGA IN THRILLER
Qarabag FK overcame Braga with 10 players to pinch a five-goal thriller to book their spot in the last 16.
The Azerbaijan side took a commanding 4-2 advantage into the second leg but were reduced to 10 players on the hour mark when Elvin Cafarquliyev was issued a second booking, handing Braga a lifeline.
Just over 15 minutes later, 18-year-old Roger Fernandes broke the deadlock for Braga on his first European start to close the aggregate scoreline to a single goal, before Braga completed the comeback when Alvaro Djalo struck in the late stages to force extra time.
Matheus Silva recaptured the lead for Qarabag as the home side edged towards an unlikely victory, but with five minutes remaining, Simon Banza rolled in a penalty to keep Braga alive.
However, Nariman Akhundzade dramatically sealed the tie with a 120th-minute strike to make sure of Qarabag’s spot in the next round.
FREIBURG SEAL VICTORY IN EXTRA TIME
With everything to play for in Germany following a goalless first leg, RC Lens took advantage following first-half goals from David Costa and Elye Wahi.
SC Freiburg fought back with two scrappy efforts from Roland Sallai, the first stabbed in from close range before the Hungarian struck the second following a goal-mouth scramble.
Michael Gregoritsch put Freiburg ahead for the first time in the tie in extra time to complete the comeback as the German side reached the last 16.
GALATASARAY DUMPED OUT AFTER DEFEAT IN PRAGUE
The Turkish side led Sparta Prague 3-2 heading into the second leg, but Angelo Preciado had the Czech Republic side swiftly level with a strike in the eighth minute.
Abdulkerim Bardakci quickly restored Galatasaray’s lead as Okan Buruk’s side controlled the tie for the majority of the match, but a red card for the away side’s Kaan Ayhan with 20 minutes to play changed the game.
Sparta Prague added two quick-fire goals late on to overturn the deficit. Indrit Tuci put the hosts ahead on the night to equalise the aggregate scoreline, before Lukas Haraslin put Sparta in control of the tie.
Jan Kuchta added gloss to the scoreline with a fourth in the 96th minute as Sparta capped off a memorable night.
BENFICA HOLD ON TO EDGE OUT TOULOUSE
After winning 2-1 in the home leg, Roger Schmidt’s Benfica side required a defensively sound performance at the scene where Liverpool shipped three goals during the group stage, and that is exactly what they delivered.
Toulouse FC came closest when Thijs Dallinga’s towering header looked destined for the bottom-right corner, but was denied by the foot of the post.
With the score goalless and the home side trailing by a goal on aggregate, Carles Martinez’s side naturally threw everything at Benfica as they fought to stay in the competition, but the visitors held firm to seal their place in Friday’s draw.
SPORTING DRAW BUT PROGRESS COMFORTABLY
Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half goal all but put the tie to bed as Sporting Lisbon extended their aggregate lead over Young Boys to three goals after a 3-1 win in the first leg.
Silvere Ganvoula grabbed a consolation goal from the spot in the final few minutes, but it was too little too late for the Swiss side who exited the tournament.
ROMA BEAT FEYENOORD ON PENALTIES
AS Roma needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome Feyenoord following the team’s 1-1 second-leg draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Santiago Gimenez and Lorenzo Pellegrini were on target for either side as Feyenoord’s early advantage was quickly rubbed out.
Romelu Lukaku missed his spot kick, but Roma qualified following a 4-2 victory on penalties to reach the next round.
MILAN QUALIFY DESPITE DEFEAT
Heading into the second leg with a three-goal buffer over Stade Rennais, AC Milan survived a five-goal thriller in France to reach the round of 16 despite a 3-2 defeat.
Luka Jovic and Rafael Leao were on target for Milan, while Benjamin Bourigeaud netted a hat-trick for the hosts.
