Europa League Round-Up: Milan’s Double Triumph and Aubameyang’s Record-Equaling Goal
In the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off, AC Milan secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Rennes, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek leading the charge by scoring a brace. The English midfielder’s impressive performance took him to five goals in his last five games for the Italian side, giving Milan a significant advantage heading into the second leg. Rafael Leao added the third goal for Milan, cementing their dominance.
Romelu Lukaku’s Impact on the Europa League
In another thrilling match, Romelu Lukaku’s second-half goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Roma against Feyenoord. The Belgian forward’s sixth goal of the season ties him with Joao Pedro of Brighton and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille for the top scorer position. Aubameyang, a former Arsenal and Chelsea striker, scored his 30th career goal in the Europa League, equalling the competition’s record goal return.
Championships and Last-Minute Thrills
The night saw a mix of high-scoring matches and last-minute drama. Angel Di Maria’s 98th-minute penalty secured a 2-1 win for Benfica against Toulouse, while Mauro Icardi’s late winner for Galatasaray in stoppage time defeated Sparta Prague 3-2, after both teams were reduced to 10 players. Elsewhere, Sporting Lisbon triumphed 3-1 away at Young Boys.
Late Comebacks in the Europa Conference League
Ajax escaped a major upset in the Europa Conference League, scoring twice in stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Union Saint-Gilloise also showed resilience, recovering from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 against Eintracht Frankfurt. Mika Biereth’s goal for Sturm Graz in a 4-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, and Fredrik Gulbradsen’s brace for Molde in a 3-2 win over Legia Warsaw, highlighted the night’s individual performances.
Key Moments and Standings
- AC Milan vs. Rennes: AC Milan’s 3-0 victory, with Loftus-Cheek’s brace.
- Roma vs. Feyenoord: Draw with Lukaku’s goal, tying him for the top scorer.
- Benfica vs. Toulouse: Di Maria’s late penalty secures a 2-1 win.
- Galatasaray vs. Sparta Prague: Icardi’s late winner in a 3-2 victory.
- Ajax vs. Bodo/Glimt: Ajax’s dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Eintracht Frankfurt: Draw after a comeback from 2-0 down.
Fans and analysts can keep track of the latest developments through Europa League fixtures and results on Skysports.com and Skysports.com. Additionally, the Sky Sports app and WhatsApp channel offer the latest news, features, and highlights.
Key Takeaways:
– AC Milan’s strong performance sets a solid foundation for the second leg.
– Romelu Lukaku’s consistent scoring continues to impact the Europa League.
– Last-minute goals and comebacks have been a hallmark of the night’s matches.
– The Europa Conference League showcases the resilience and determination of teams.
For more updates and analysis, follow the developments on Skysports.com and Skysports.com.
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