Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur put their domestic struggles aside on Thursday night, clinching their spots in the Europa League last 16 with commanding performances against their respective opponents.
United secured a 2-0 victory over Romanian side FCSB, while Tottenham overpowered Sweden’s Elfsborg in a resounding 3-0 triumph, ensuring both English clubs avoided the extra burden of a play-off tie.
United’s Clinical Second Half Seals Qualification
Manchester United, under the management of Ruben Amorim, faced a frustrating first half against a resilient FCSB side. Despite dominating possession, the Red Devils struggled to find the back of the net.
The breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute when Diogo Dalot, arriving at the far post, calmly slotted home after Alejandro Garnacho’s earlier attempt struck the outside of the post.
With momentum on their side, United doubled their lead just eight minutes later. Midfield sensation Kobbie Mainoo, who has been a revelation this season, finished off a well-worked team move to put the result beyond doubt.
“It was about patience,” Dalot said after the game. “We knew if we kept pressing, the goals would come. The manager told us to keep our composure, and we did just that.”
United’s victory meant they finished their Europa League group stage campaign unbeaten, placing third overall behind Italy’s Lazio and Spain’s Athletic Bilbao. The Red Devils now march into the last 16 with renewed confidence despite a challenging season in the Premier League.
Spurs’ Young Stars Shine in Sweden
Tottenham Hotspur fans also endured a tense first half against Elfsborg before a flurry of late goals ensured a comfortable 3-0 win.
Manager Ange Postecoglou’s tactical substitutions proved decisive. Teenage striker Dane Scarlett broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, powering in a header to give Spurs a much-needed lead.
Scarlett then turned provider in the 84th minute, setting up fellow academy graduate Damola Ajayi, who coolly slotted in Tottenham’s second goal.
The final flourish came from another promising youngster, Mikey Moore, who wrapped up the win with an 89th-minute strike, sending Spurs fans into celebration.
“It’s a proud moment for me,” Scarlett said. “To score and assist in an important European game is a dream. We believe in our squad depth, and tonight showed what we’re capable of.”
Despite their inconsistent domestic form, Tottenham’s Europa League campaign has been a bright spot, with their youthful squad showing resilience on the European stage.
Other Europa League Highlights
Lazio, the only team that had secured qualification before Thursday, suffered a 1-0 loss to Portugal’s Braga, who were still eliminated despite Ricardo Horta’s early winner.
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympique Lyon, Olympiacos, and Rangers joined United and Spurs in the last 16, avoiding the play-offs. However, Frankfurt fell 2-0 to Roma, with Angelina and substitute Eldor Shomurodov finding the net for the Italian side.
Belgian giants Anderlecht saw their hopes of direct qualification shattered after a dramatic 4-3 home loss to Germany’s Hoffenheim, forcing them into the play-offs.
In another high-stakes encounter, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce snatched the final play-off spot, edging out Braga by just one goal. A 2-2 draw against Denmark’s Midtjylland saw veteran striker Edin Dzeko set up Youssef En-Nesyri for the opener before scoring himself.
Ajax secured a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray, ensuring both teams progressed to the play-offs. Porto also advanced after a narrow 1-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Twente’s 1-0 triumph over Besiktas eliminated the Turkish side from the competition.
English Sides Eye Europa League Glory
For Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Europa League presents a golden opportunity to salvage their seasons.
United, who have struggled for consistency in the Premier League, will be eager to build on this European success. With their attack finally clicking, Amorim’s men will look to go deep in the competition and add another continental trophy to their cabinet.
Tottenham, too, will see the Europa League as a platform to showcase their young talents while aiming for silverware. Postecoglou has emphasized squad rotation throughout the tournament, and the emergence of Scarlett, Ajayi, and Moore highlights the club’s bright future.
With the last 16 draw set to take place on Friday, both English clubs will be keen to avoid tough opposition as they continue their quest for European glory.
