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Man Utd, Spurs & Rangers All Progress to Last 16

Man Utd, Spurs & Rangers All Progress to Last 16

In a thrilling night of Europa League action, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers all secured their spots in the competition’s last 16, with commanding victories over their respective opponents.

Manchester United Dominates in Romania

Manchester United continued their unbeaten run in the Europa League group stage, defeating FCSB 2-0 in Romania. Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo were the heroes for the Red Devils, both scoring tap-ins in a game that saw the visitors comfortably control proceedings. Despite a lack of real threat from FCSB, United’s clinical finishing ensured they would end the group phase with a perfect record.

Former United coach Rene Meulensteen praised the team’s dominance, noting that they controlled possession from the outset. “The first half was impressive. FCSB never laid a glove on us,” Meulensteen commented on BBC Radio 5 Live.

United’s consistency in the tournament has been a key feature, and they will now await the next phase of the competition, knowing they are one of the favourites to go all the way.

Spurs Overcome Elfsborg

Tottenham Hotspur also booked their place in the knockout stages with a convincing 3-0 win over Elfsborg. The match, which remained goalless until the second half, saw Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore all get on the scoresheet for Spurs. The goals highlighted the team’s depth, with Scarlett especially shining in his performance after coming on as a substitute.

Former Spurs striker Peter Crouch was full of praise for Scarlett, commenting, “His all-round game was brilliant. He held the ball well, set up the second goal, and finished with confidence. His movement was exceptional.”

Tottenham’s defense was resolute, keeping Elfsborg at bay for the entirety of the match. Ben Davies emphasized the importance of getting the job done without letting the match slip. “We knew the longer it stayed 0-0, the more pressure would build, but we held firm, and Scarlett’s goal was a turning point,” said the Welsh defender.

With their passage confirmed, Spurs now look forward to the next round, where they will face one of AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad, or Galatasaray.

Rangers Secure Narrow Victory

Rangers sealed their spot in the last 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise. The victory was not without its drama as the Belgian side pulled one back late in the game, making it a nervy finish for the Scottish giants. Nicolas Raskin and Michal Cerny scored the goals for Rangers, but a defensive lapse allowed Union Saint-Gilloise to find the back of the net.

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Rangers’ captain James Tavernier, speaking after the match, admitted the team was disappointed with conceding but was pleased with the overall result. “We conceded a goal we should have dealt with better, but we did enough to get through. It’s a great feeling to progress,” Tavernier said.

With the victory, Rangers now await the draw, where they will meet either Fenerbahce, Twente, Bodo/Glimt, or Anderlecht in the knockout phase.

Europa League: The Road Ahead

The success of Manchester United, Spurs, and Rangers adds to the excitement of the Europa League’s knockout phase, with each team boasting significant strengths. The competition is heating up as the teams now shift focus to the next stage, where the stakes get higher.

Top Scorers and More

Ayoub El Kaabi continues to lead the top scorer chart with seven goals after scoring twice for Olympiakos in their victory over Dinamo Kiev. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund remains in the mix with five goals, along with four other players.

As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on these top teams to see who can lift the prestigious trophy. With some of Europe’s biggest clubs still in the hunt, the Europa League promises to deliver even more thrilling action in the coming weeks.

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