Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the Europa League round of 16 after solid performances on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Manchester United recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Romanian champions FCSB, thanks to goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo. The first goal came on the hour mark when Dalot capitalized on a precise cross from Mainoo. Mainoo himself found the net just eight minutes later, sealing the win for the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur also enjoyed success, defeating Swedish club Elfsborg 3-0 at their home ground. After a tense first hour, it was substitute Dane Scarlett who broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. The young forward was soon followed by fellow substitutes Damola Ajayi and 17-year-old Mikey Moore, who both added their names to the score sheet, ensuring a comfortable win.
Of the 36 teams competing, the top eight advanced directly to the round of 16 scheduled for March, with teams ranked ninth to 24th heading to the two-legged knockout playoffs on February 13 and February 20. The draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday.
Despite their success on the European stage, Manchester United is facing challenges on the domestic front, currently sitting 12th in the Premier League. They concluded the group phase of the Europa League undefeated, with five wins and three draws, just one point behind group leaders. Coach Ruben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, "Kobbie (Mainoo) played very well... with more freedom and not so much responsibility running back all the time." He praised his squad for maintaining composure and securing another clean sheet.
Tottenham, on the other hand, is struggling domestically, languishing at 15th place following their worst league run since 2008, which saw them go seven matches without a win. Despite these woes, the team managed to secure its place in the next round of the Europa League with five wins, two draws, and one loss. Amorim added, "The lads did a good job, another clean sheet" after their most recent win.
Meanwhile, Lazio, who had already qualified for the round of 16 with one game to spare, suffered their first defeat of the competition against Braga, falling 1-0 away from home. Nonetheless, Lazio topped their group standings with 19 points, level with second-placed Athletic Bilbao. Bilbao secured their position with a solid 3-1 victory over 10-man Viktoria Plzen, who are now focused on the playoff round.
Frankfurt, another notable contender, ended the group stage with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Roma, with goals from Angeliño and Eldor Shomurodov propelling the Italian side to victory. Lyon managed to stay competitive but finished sixth after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Ludogorets, and Olympiacos capped their successful group campaign by routing Qarabag 3-0.
Rangers rounded out the top eight following their 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise, bearing witness to their tenacity and resilience. José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce avoided early elimination by drawing 2-2 against Denmark’s Midtjylland, allowing both teams to make it to the playoffs. Ajax finally broke their losing streak, defeating Galatasaray 2-1, with both clubs advancing to the next stage.
Further matches saw Hoffenheim's thrilling but insufficient 4-3 victory over Anderlecht, leaving the Bundesliga team out of the competition as the Belgian club finished 10th overall. Other teams to make it through include Real Sociedad, PAOK, Porto, and AZ Alkmaar.
With the stage set for the knockout rounds, the anticipation builds as teams jockey for position within Europe’s second-tier tournament. The draws are eagerly awaited, with clubs eyeing potential match-ups as they strive for European glory.