Europa League: 5 clubs qualify for Round of 16 with two games to spare

By Adeleye Kunle

Following Thursday’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage match-day four fixtures, at least five clubs have qualified for the Round of 16.

The five clubs are Fenerbahçe, Freiburg, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Rennes.

Fenerbahçe defeated AEK Larnaca 2-1, Freiburg thrashed Nantes 4-0, Real Sociedad won 3-0 against Sheriff, Real Betis drew 1-1 with Roma, and Rennes defeated Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 to qualify for the next phase of the Europa League with two games to spare.

However, Premier League gaints, Arsenal and Manchester United must wait a while to join them despite narrow wins on Matchday 4.

Arsenal defeated Bodø/Glimt 0-1 in an away Europa League clash, thanks to Bukayo Saka who finished off a neat move to maintain the Gunners’ perfect Group A start.

Manchester United, meanwhile, defeated Omonoia 1-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to Scott McTominay’s goal.

McTominay had latched on to Jadon Sancho’s ball deep into added time to break the hearts of plucky Omonoia and their brilliant goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

The Europa League match-day five fixtures will commence on October 27.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and PSV have an outstanding match to play on October 20 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal and PSV are the only teams in the competition that have played three matches so far.