Bilbao Overturn Roma Deficit, Eintracht Cruise Past Ajax In Europa League

Athletic Bilbao secured a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Roma on Thursday, overturning a first-leg deficit to progress 4-3 on aggregate. Nico Williams was the hero for the Basque side, scoring twice in a dramatic night at San Mames.

Romas hopes took an early blow when veteran defender Mats Hummels was sent off in the 11th minute for a last-man foul on Maroan Sannadi. Bilbao capitalised just before half-time, with Inaki Williams delivering a cross that found his brother Nico, whose shot took a crucial deflection off angelino to beat goalkeeper Mile Svilar.

Yuri Berchiche doubled the hosts lead with a powerful header in the 68th minute, before Nico Williams sealed the victory eight minutes from time. A late penalty from Leandro Paredes gave Roma a glimmer of hope, but Bilbao held on.

Lazio edged past Viktoria Plzen 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. Pavel Sulc had briefly given Plzen hope, but Alessio Romagnolis header secured Lazios passage to the next round.

Eintracht Frankfurt cruised past Ajax with a 4-1 home win, completing a dominant 6-2 aggregate victory. Goals from Jean-Matteo Bahoya, Hugo Ekitike, and a brace from Mario Gotze sealed the German side's progress.