The final matchday of the Europa League qualifying round wrapped up in the early hours with far less upheaval than many fans had hoped. If you were expecting last-minute upsets or Cinderella stories, this round delivered steadiness over surprises. In the end, eight clubs cemented their places directly in the Round of 16, each proving their mettle across a rigorous campaign.
Aston Villa’s home heroics: comebacks and close calls
At Villa Park, Aston Villa showcased classic Premier League grit with a 3-2 comeback victory over RB Salzburg. Despite trailing twice, the home side never lost their composure. With Ollie Watkins and Jacob Ramsey both finding the net, the crowd experienced a rollercoaster of emotions — a vivid reminder of football’s capacity to thrill and inspire.
Overcoming relentless pressure, Aston Villa epitomized resilience, sealing their passage as group winners. Their journey feels reminiscent of storied English underdog tales and is one to keep an eye on in the next round.
Commanding performances: Lyon claims the summit
Elsewhere, Lyon left little doubt of their ambition. By defeating PAOK 4-2, the French heavyweights clinched the top spot of their group with an emphatic record: 7 wins, 0 draws, and just 1 loss. Such consistency is rare in European competitions, making Lyon a legitimate contender for the Europa League crown.
Real Betis, not to be outdone, secured a vital 2-1 win against Feyenoord, guaranteeing a direct slot in the Round of 16. Portuguese power Porto also impressed, dispatching Scottish side Rangers 3-1 to reinforce their European pedigree.
Notable results: triumphs, draws, and dominant displays
Across the continent, fans witnessed other memorable results:
- Nottingham Forest produced a statement 4-0 win over Ferencvaros, raising their profile as dark horses.
- AS Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Panathinaikos, a match brimming with tactical discipline.
- Lille edged Freiburg 1-0 in a tightly-contested duel that showed defensive steel. Each result highlighted the fierce competitiveness and fine margins that define the Europa League.
Who marches on? The eight direct qualifiers
With all the dust settled, these are the eight teams that punched their tickets to the Round of 16:
- Lyon
- Aston Villa
- Midtjylland
- Real Betis
- Porto
- Braga
- Freiburg
- AS Roma
Each club brings its own style, tactics, and dreams, promising a mouth-watering next phase.
Play-off drama awaits: 16 teams, one ambition
The journey isn’t over for another group of 16 teams, who must now duel in the play-off round for a shot at the Last 16:
- Genk
- Bologna
- Stuttgart
- Ferencvaros
- Nottingham Forest
- Viktoria Plzen
- Crvena zvezda
- Celta Vigo
- PAOK
- Lille
- Fenerbahce
- Panathinaikos
- Celtic
- Ludogorets
- Dinamo Zagreb
- Brann
Expect passion, unpredictability, and possibly inspiring underdog stories as these teams battle for survival.
Next stop: the draw in Nyon
As with the Champions League, anticipation now turns to the play-off draw, scheduled for January 30th at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The air of possibility, the strategic plotting, and the tantalizing prospect of unexpected matchups give this stage a special allure.
The Europa League 2025/26 is already delivering storylines of resilience, ambition, and dreams both realized and deferred. With heavyweights staking their claim and hungry challengers lurking, the drama is just beginning. Will the favorites march on unchallenged, or will a new legend be born?