Brazilians shine in Europa League with Copa in sight, qualifiers here | OneFootball

It was a Thursday (29th) with eighteen simultaneous matches in the eighth and final round of the UEFA Europa League league phase. 

Only Lyon and Aston Villa were already guaranteed a spot in the round of 16.

The main battle was to avoid the playoffs and their two extra games on the calendar.

There were several highlights.

For example, Antony and Igor Jesus, who made the difference for the victories of Betis and Forest, respectively. 

See below for the day's highlights, the final standings, and the results of all the matches.

The top eight are already in the round of 16. Teams that finished between 9th and 24th will await Friday's draw to find out their playoff opponents. 

🏴Aston Villa 3 x 2 Salzburg 🇦🇹

In search of the overall top spot, Unai Emery fielded an almost ideal lineup.

But Villa did not count on a more competent opponent at first.

Salzburg had less of the ball, but was lethal. They scored with Konaté (33').

The second came in the second half thanks to Yeo (49').

The home side's comeback began with Rogers (65'). The equalizer came from defender Mings (76').

Persistence paid off with a goal from the young Jamaldeen Jimoh (87').

Villa reached 21 points, but finished second due to goal difference. 

Salzburg, meanwhile, finished only 31st. 

🇪🇸 Betis 2 x 1 Feyenoord 🇳🇱

The Andalusian side needed to win to avoid relying on other results, as they started the round in eighth place.

And they settled things already in the first half.

Thanks to Antony's talent, who opened the scoring with a beautiful goal (17').

His fifth goal in the competition.

Antony also assisted Ezzalzouli, who scored the second (32'), ensuring another double celebration. 

Feyenoord would only have a chance in case of victory.

But they only managed to pull one back with Tengstedt (77'). 

Betis reached 15 points, confirming fourth place. They will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home in the round of 16. 

🇫🇷 Lyon 4 x 2 PAOK 🇬🇷

Once again without Endrick—who is not registered—Lyon struggled, but ended their group stage campaign confirming first place.

They faced a PAOK side with a chance at a direct spot and fell behind after Giakoumakis scored.

Himbert (34'), the attacking reference in the Brazilian's absence, equalized.

The Greek side lost Konstantelias, sent off at 41'.

They saw Merah put Lyon ahead (55'), but found an equalizer through Meité (67').

Then came a penalty committed by Lucescu, who was sent off, leaving PAOK with nine men.

Karabec missed the penalty, but scored five minutes later (88').

There was still time for Alejandro Gomes, just 17 years old, to score the fourth (93'). 

Securing Lyon with the same 21 points as Aston Villa, but with a superior goal difference. 

🏴Nottingham Forest 4 x 0 Ferencvaros 🇭🇺

Forest's mission to advance directly to the round of 16 was far from simple, as they needed to overtake eight teams.

But they did their part by securing a spot in the playoffs. 

Yates saw Otvos score an own goal (17') and then assisted Igor Jesus (21').

The former Botafogo striker scored his second of the match in the second half (55'). 

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He reached six goals in the competition. He is the second-highest scorer. 

The fourth came from McAtee from the penalty spot (90'). 

Secured in the playoffs, Forest finished 13th with 14 points. Just behind their rival, who finished 12th with 15. 

🇬🇷 Panathinaikos 1 x 1 Roma 🇮🇹

Needing to do their part to avoid the risk of dropping out of the top 8, the team from the Eternal City started off well. 

They missed great chances and, at 14', saw Mancini sent off.

The numerical disadvantage did not stop Roma from remaining superior.

But another mistake, this time by Ghilardi, allowed Taborda to score (58'). 

Roma was about to drop out of the top 8 and go to the playoffs.

Then everything changed thanks to a goal by Ziolkowski (80').

A result that, for example, saw Bologna drop out of the group advancing directly. 

Gasperini's team secured eighth place with 16 points and a better goal difference than Genk.

The Greek side confirmed their place in the playoffs, finishing 20th. 

🇵🇹 Porto 3 x 1 Rangers🏴

Chasing a top 8 spot, the Dragons were surprised by a goal from Gassama in the sixth minute. 

But the reaction against one of the worst teams in the UEL league phase did not take long.

Rodrigo Mora, Francisco Moura, and Emmanuel Fernández (own goal) scored before halftime. 

Porto confirmed fifth place with 17 points, leaving the eliminated Rangers in 30th. 

Final standings of the league phase

Direct spot in the round of 16

Secured in the round of 16 playoffs

Eliminated 

See all other results:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP or licensors