Bruno Fernandes delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a sensational hat-trick as Manchester United stormed past Real Sociedad with a 4-1 victory, securing their place in the Europa League quarter-finals with an impressive 5-2 aggregate win. The match began on a tense note for United, as they fell behind early when Matthijs de Ligt brought down Mikel Oyarzabal in the box. The Sociedad captain confidently dispatched the penalty, putting the Spanish side ahead after just 10 minutes. However, United responded almost immediately, with Fernandes converting a penalty of his own after Igor Zubeldia fouled Rasmus Hojlund in the area, leveling the score six minutes later.
United took the lead early in the second half, once again from the penalty spot. Aritz Elustondo was penalized for his challenge on Patrick Dorgu, and Fernandes stepped up to calmly slot home his second goal, sending the Brabourne Stadium into raptures. Sociedad’s troubles deepened when Jon Aramburu received a straight red card for a reckless foul on Joshua Zirkzee, reducing the visitors to 10 men. Fernandes completed his hat-trick in style, showcasing his clinical finishing with a powerful strike that left Sociedad’s goalkeeper helpless. Diogo Dalot added the finishing touch in stoppage time, ensuring a dominant performance and a well-deserved victory.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Fernandes highlighted the importance of belief and consistency at a club like United, stating, "This club is all about winning. Confidence is a big thing in football and at this club even more because you know how much you are on the eyes of everyone, so you need to perform at the highest level."
United’s quarter-final opponents will be Olympique Lyonnais, who booked their spot with a commanding 4-0 triumph over Steaua Bucharest. Lyon, having carried a 3-1 lead from the first leg, showed no mercy, with Ernest Nuamah and Georges Mikautdze each scoring twice, ensuring an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur kept their European campaign alive in a thrilling clash against AZ Alkmaar. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs turned the tie around with a spirited 3-1 win on the night, advancing 3-2 on aggregate. The star of the evening was French prodigy Wilson Odobert, who scored his first two goals for the club since his arrival in August. His opener came in the 26th minute, pouncing on a poor clearance from AZ’s Wouter Goes to fire home. Tottenham took the aggregate lead shortly after halftime, with Son Heung-min providing a clever assist for James Maddison, who calmly side-footed his shot into the bottom corner.
AZ briefly threatened a comeback when Peer Koopmeiners capitalized on a defensive mishap to score in the 63rd minute, reigniting the visitors’ hopes. However, Odobert struck again in the 74th minute, capping off a fluid Spurs counterattack to ease the tension and secure the win. Tottenham now face a tough test against Eintracht Frankfurt, who overpowered Ajax Amsterdam with a dominant 6-2 aggregate victory, including a 4-1 second-leg rout that saw Mario Gotze score twice.
Rangers produced perhaps the most dramatic performance of the night, surviving a penalty shootout against Fenerbahce after a 3-3 aggregate draw. The Scottish side had won 3-1 in Turkey, but Fenerbahce fought back in Glasgow with two goals from Sebastian Szymanski, forcing extra time. With both sides failing to break the deadlock in extra time, the tie headed to penalties. Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland emerged as the hero, saving from Dusan Tadic and Fred, while Mert Hakan Yandas sent his effort over the bar, sparking jubilant celebrations at Ibrox. Rangers will now meet Athletic Bilbao, who dispatched AS Roma 3-1 in the second leg, with Nico Williams netting twice. Roma’s night unraveled after Mats Hummels saw red early on, and despite a late Leandro Paredes penalty, Bilbao advanced 4-3 on aggregate.
Lazio endured a nervy night but ultimately progressed to the quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win over Viktoria Plzen. Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Lazio found themselves trailing after a Pavel Sulc strike early in the second half. However, a late header from Alessio Romagnoli secured the crucial equalizer on the night, ensuring a 1-1 draw and a place in the last eight. Lazio’s reward is a matchup against Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt, who stunned Olympiacos despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat, progressing 4-2 on aggregate after their first-leg heroics.
With heavyweight clashes and underdog stories emerging, the Europa League quarter-finals are set to be a thrilling showdown. Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, and Lazio will all fancy their chances — but they’ll face fierce opposition as the race for the coveted trophy heats up.
