Knockout Drama Unfolds as Teams Battle for Europa League Glory
The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League knockout stage has delivered thrilling action, with top clubs across Europe battling for a place in the final.
Following the completion of the playoffs, 16 teams advanced into the Round of 16, including Premier League sides Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. French side Lyon entered the knockout phase as the top seed after an impressive league-stage campaign.
Teams in the Europa League Knockouts
Seeded Teams:
Lyon, Aston Villa, Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg, AS Roma
Unseeded Teams:
Genk, Bologna, Stuttgart, Ferencvaros, Nottingham Forest, Panathinaikos, Lille, Celta Vigo
Round of 16 Results
- Freiburg defeated Genk 5-2 on aggregate
- Bologna edged Roma 5-4 on aggregate
- Porto beat Stuttgart 4-1 on aggregate
- Braga overcame Ferencvaros 4-2 on aggregate
- Real Betis crushed Panathinaikos 4-1 on aggregate
- Nottingham Forest advanced on penalties after a 2-2 draw with Midtjylland
- Aston Villa defeated Lille 3-0 on aggregate
- Celta Vigo stunned Lyon 3-1 on aggregate
Quarterfinal Results
- Freiburg dominated Celta Vigo 6-1 on aggregate
- Bologna were convincingly beaten by Aston Villa (7-1 aggregate)
- Porto edged Nottingham Forest 2-1 on aggregate
- Real Betis defeated Braga 5-3 on aggregate
Semifinal Fixtures
- Braga vs Freiburg (First leg: 2-1)
- Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa (First leg: 1-0)
Both ties remain finely poised ahead of the decisive second legs scheduled for May 7.
Europa League Final 2026
The final will be played on May 20 at the Puskás Aréna, where the winners of the semifinals will compete for European glory.
Key Dates
- Round of 16: March 12 & 19
- Quarterfinals: April 9 & 16
- Semifinals: April 30 & May 7
- Final: May 20
With several surprise results and dominant performances along the way, the 2025/26 Europa League is shaping up for an exciting conclusion as teams push for silverware on the European stage.