Fenerbahce, Real Sociedad earn wins in Europa League play-offs - World
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce won 3-0 at home to Anderlecht in the first leg of their Europa League knockout phase play-off tie Thursday, while Real Sociedad triumphed 2-1 away to Midtjylland.
Former Premier League duo Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko scored in the first half for Fenerbahce before Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri headed in a third for the Turkish side to give them full control.
Mourinho won the competition with Porto in 2003 and again with Manchester United in 2017, also reaching the final when he was in charge of Roma two years ago.
Real Sociedad will return to Spain in a commanding position after a penalty from Brais Mendez and terrific goal by Japan winger Takefusa Kubo saw them past Danish Midtjylland, who pulled one back through Adam Buksa.
The winners of the tie will play United or Tottenham in the last 16.
Ajax took charge of their play-off against Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise with a 2-0 victory in Brussels.
Christian Rasmussen steered the Dutch club ahead just before the hour, with 16-year-old Jorthy Mokio volleying in a second from 20 yards.
Israel's Mohammad Abu Fani struck the only goal in Budapest as Ferencvaros won 1-0 against Viktoria Plzen.
Two-time former winners Porto host Roma later on Thursday, while Galatasaray are away to AZ Alkmaar.
In the UEFA Conference League, Irish side Shamrock Rovers secured a 1-0 win away to Norwegians Molde.
Molde defender Valdemar Lund was sent off before half-time for a challenge on Michael Noonan, who netted the winner in the second half to become the competition's youngest scorer at 16 years and 197 days old.
Iceland's Vikingur Reykjavik beat Panathinaikos 2-1 as the Greeks grabbed a vital late goal from the penalty spot.
Celje of Slovenia drew 2-2 against APOEL Nicosia, while Jagiellonia Bialystok captain Jesus Imaz scored twice in a 3-1 win away to Serbia's TSC Backa Topola.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
7 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Gabriel commits to Arsenal until 2029 in major boost for Arteta's title dream
Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes in action with PSV Eindhoven's Couhaib Driouech Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo (Reuters) - Arsenal's Brazilian defensive rock Gabriel Magalhaes committed his future to the north London club until 2029 on Friday, extending a partnership that has become the cornerstone of manager Mikel Arteta's English Premier League title-chasing project. The 27-year-old centre back, whose existing deal ran until 2027, has proven indispensable since his 27 million pounds ($36.53 million) move from Lille in 2020, with the club's recent title challenge crumbling precisely when injury forced him to the sidelines. "I arrived here as a young player and after almost five years I've learned a lot," Gabriel said after putting pen to paper at Emirates Stadium. "I hope I win some trophies with this club, because I love this club and my family loves the club, too." Gabriel's partnership with William Saliba has blossomed into one of the Premier League's most formidable defensive pairings since 2022, providing the foundation for Arsenal's resurgence as title contenders. His aerial prowess has also made him a persistent threat from set-pieces. The Brazilian's true value to Arsenal became painfully apparent during the final two months of the 2024-25 campaign when a hamstring injury derailed the Gunners' charge. Without their defensive lynchpin, Arsenal's title challenge disintegrated, and Paris St Germain ended their Champions League dreams in the semi-finals. Gabriel's recommitment represents a significant boost for Arteta's squad building. "I'm so proud to sign a new contract," Gabriel added. "I love the supporters, my team-mates, I love this stadium. We continue together for the future." With 210 appearances already under his belt, Gabriel's extended stay suggests Arsenal's defensive foundation is now secured for their next chapter of trophy hunting.
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner - World
Australia moved to the brink of the World Cup after beating already qualified Japan 1-0 in Perth on Thursday thanks to Aziz Behich's 90th-minute winner. In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an inexperienced Japan side. But then Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation. After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are all but assured of a berth at next year's World Cup in North America. Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over Saudi Arabia with two matches left. The win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage, with Saudi Arabia at Bahrain later on Thursday. Australia face Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan. Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup. After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia's last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Tony Popovic was installed as coach in September. After becoming the first team to punch their tickets to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu used the trip to Australia as an opportunity to experiment with his squad. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up. Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starting player. But Japan's youngsters completely dominated the first-half with 21-year-old wing back Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on debut. It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance at breaking the deadlock, with Yuito Suzuki making an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark. Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing a bullet just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. The break arrived at an good time for Australia. After being substituted on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late on with his priceless goal. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
a day ago
- Egypt Today
Toney never feared Saudi switch would end England recall chances
Al Ahli's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their second goal. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo (Reuters) - Ivan Toney said he never had any doubts about his chances of an England recall following his move to the Saudi Pro League after the free-scoring Al-Ahli striker returned to the squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. The 29-year-old, who last featured for England in their 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final last July, was banned for eight months in 2023 for breaching the FA's rules on betting. He moved to Al-Ahli from Premier League club Brentford last August and has scored 30 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions for the Saudi side. The forward gave an emphatic "No" when asked at a training camp in Girona on Wednesday if he thought moving to Saudi Arabia may affect his England chances. "You see with me I think if you're just doing the right thing, playing football, playing well and scoring goals – a striker's job, that's what you're in a team to do – it doesn't matter where you play in the world, I feel like you should still get the chance," he told British media. "I think it's been proven me being me being back here and being back amongst the boys. It feels good to see the faces again and it feels good to get stuck in." Only Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals - 25 - in the Saudi top-flight in the 2024-25 season than Toney, who notched 23, more than former Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema (21) and ex-Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19). "I feel like I'm in good form. As you see, I'm here, I'm still scoring goals," said Toney, who has been capped six times for England. "So, hopefully I can keep doing that and be in the mix for the World Cup." After playing Andorra in Spain on Saturday England host Senegal in a friendly on June 10.
