Europa and Conference League Semi-Finals Set: Braga, Villa, Palace, and Rayo Advance
The quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and Conference League have concluded, establishing the semi-final matchups for April 2026. In the Europa League, Sporting Braga secured a dramatic spot by overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Real Betis 4-2 in the second leg, setting up a clash with SC Freiburg. The other semi-final features an all-Premier League duel between Aston Villa, who dominated FC Bologna with a 4-0 victory, and Nottingham Forest, who eliminated FC Porto. In the Conference League, Crystal Palace advanced past AC Fiorentina despite a 2-1 second-leg loss, relying on their first-leg advantage. They will face Shakhtar Donetsk, who defeated AZ Alkmaar 5-2. Additionally, Rayo Vallecano progressed after a tense tie against AEK Athens, while Racing Strasbourg eliminated FSV Mainz 05 with a decisive 4-0 win. These results confirm the final four pairs for both competitions, with first legs scheduled for late April. The outcomes highlight significant performances from Portuguese, English, and Spanish clubs, while marking the end of the road for Italian side Fiorentina and German representatives Freiburg's future opponents.
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Europa and Conference League Semi-Finals Set: Braga, Villa, Palace, and Rayo Advance
The quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and Conference League have concluded, establishing the semi-final matchups for April 2026. In the Europa League, Sporting Braga secured a dramatic spot by overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Real Betis 4-2 in the second leg, setting up a clash with SC Freiburg. The other semi-final features an all-Premier League duel between Aston Villa, who dominated FC Bologna with a 4-0 victory, and Nottingham Forest, who eliminated FC Porto. In the Conference League, Crystal Palace advanced past AC Fiorentina despite a 2-1 second-leg loss, relying on their first-leg advantage. They will face Shakhtar Donetsk, who defeated AZ Alkmaar 5-2. Additionally, Rayo Vallecano progressed after a tense tie against AEK Athens, while Racing Strasbourg eliminated FSV Mainz 05 with a decisive 4-0 win. These results confirm the final four pairs for both competitions, with first legs scheduled for late April. The outcomes highlight significant performances from Portuguese, English, and Spanish clubs, while marking the end of the road for Italian side Fiorentina and German representatives Freiburg's future opponents.
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