Wolfsburg are now 3-0 ahead against Malmo, 5-1 on aggregate.
GOAL! Porto 1-3 Leverkusen (agg: 2-5, Marega 67) Two in a minute for Peter Van! Porto get a consolation goal, just as he predicted, with a cracking header from Moussa Marega.
GOAL! Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 3-4, Vietto 68) Peter Van strikes again! Fulham alumnus Luciano Vietto has put Sporting Lisbon back in front on aggregate against the Turkish league leaders.
Espanyol 2-1 Wolves (agg: 2-5) There’s a bit of huff and puff from Espanyol. But they still need four goals to go through and, well, no.
GOAL! Malmo 0-2 Wolfsburg (agg 1-4; Gerhardt 65) It’s a stroll in Sweden for Wolfsburg. Yannick Gerhardt has put them 4-1 ahead on aggregate.
“Dear Rob,” says Peter Van. “Thanks for acknowledging my very modest and very temporary success in predicting Gent to do well tonight vs. Roma. I’m not actually watching that game (Porto – Leverkusen is what’s on TV here). Based on that, here are some second half predictions:
- Porto will score but they are dreadful in defence and Leverkusen will go through
- Sporting Lisbon to come back against Basaksehir
- LASK will hold their lead vs. Alkmaar
- Wolves will, hmmm, qualify.”
This is a rout. The brilliant Kai Havertz, who made the first two goals, scores the third on the break.
Latest scores
- Gent 1-1 Roma (agg: 1-2)
- Malmo 0-1 Wolfsburg (agg: 1-3)
- LASK 2-0 AZ Alkmaar (agg: 3-1)
- Basel 1-0 APOEL (agg: 4-0)
- Porto 0-2 Leverkusen (agg: 1-4)
- Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 3-3)
- Espanyol 2-1 Wolves (agg: 2-5)
A bit more team news
Thanks Niall. Meanwhile, Jonathan Calleri’s relaxed penalty has put Espanyol ahead on the night against Wolves. They only need four more.
It’s game over in Porto, where Leverkusen now lead 2-0, and 4-1 on aggregate. Kerem Demirbay is the man on the scoresheet. Leverkusen can be formidable opponents when they’re on their game – the British teams who progress will hope to avoid them.
And speaking of formidable, it’s time to hand you back to Rob Smyth, who will guide you through the rest of this continental buffet.
Daniel Podence almost puts Wolves ahead on the night, cutting inside but firing just over the bar. In Austria, Margo Raguz has scored a second for LASK Linz, who lead AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on aggregate in the Capital Letters Derby.
Here’s how to follow Manchester United v Club Brugge:
The players are heading back out for the second half in Barcelona, and everywhere else for that matter. Danijel Aleksic scored an absolutely belting free kick just before the break to give Istanbul Basaksehir a 2-0 lead over Sporting:
With Frankfurt’s game at Salzburg put back until Friday because of a storm, Eintracht fans have headed en masse to watch an ice hockey game instead. They’re watching Red Bull’s hockey team against Klagenfurt, and backing the away side:
Remember when West Ham drew Romania’s Astra Giurgiu twice in Europa League qualifying – and got knocked out both times? Well, it’s been pretty much downhill ever since for the Hammers – and now they’re battling the dreaded drop:
Arsenal, Celtic and Manchester United are all in action at 8pm (GMT), with Odion Ighalo set for his first United start at home to Club Brugge. Rob will be keeping tabs on that one, but you can also join Tumaini Carayol in a separate MBM:
Thanks, Rob. Some serious pre-season friendly vibes about Espanyol v Wolves, now the visitors have that away goal. It’s also looking very good for Leverkusen, Basel and Wolfsburg. Tie of the night so far is in Istanbul, where Basaksehir lead Sporting on away goals.
Peep peep! It’s half time in the seven early games, and these are the scores.
- Gent 1-1 Roma (agg: 1-2)
- Malmo 0-1 Wolfsburg (agg: 1-3)
- LASK 1-0 AZ Alkmaar (agg: 2-1)
- Basel 1-0 APOEL (agg: 4-0)
- Porto 0-1 Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)
- Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 3-3)
- Espanyol 1-1 Wolves (agg: 1-5)
There’s a long night ahead, oh yes, so I’m going to take a short break. Niall McVeigh will be with you for the next 20 minutes or so. Bye!
GOAL! Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 3-3, Aleksic 45) Danijel Aleksic has brought Basaksehir level on aggregate – and they are ahead on away goals.
GOAL! Malmo 0-1 Wolfsburg (agg: 1-3; Brekalo 42)
GOAL! LASK 1-0 AZ Alkmaar (agg: 2-1; Raguz 44 pen)
GOAL! Basel 1-0 APOEL (agg: 4-0; F Frei 38 pen) Basel will be in the last 16.
Porto 0-1 Leverkusen (agg: 1-3) Leverkusen have been a class above Porto in the first 37 minutes 44 seconds.
Latest scores
- Gent 1-1 Roma (agg: 1-2)
- Malmo 0-0 Wolfsburg (agg: 1-2)
- LASK 0-0 AZ Alkmaar (agg: 1-1)
- Basel 0-0 APOEL (agg: 3-0)
- Porto 0-1 Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)
- Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 2-3)
- Espanyol 1-1 Wolves (agg: 1-5)
“Hi Rob,” says Matt Burtz. “This email may only be applicable to approximately two people, but Americans with a cable subscription can watch some Europa League games through Univision’s streaming service. Yes, it’s in Spanish, but it’s better than nothing, and you get to hear the classic ‘GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL’ or some variation thereof.”
Will it explain Brexit though?
Istanbul Basaksheir 1-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 2-3) Our old friend Martin Skrtel has put the Super Lig leaders Basaksehir in front against Sporting Lisbon.
A hammer blow to Gent, and a vital away goal for Roma. Justin Kluivert makes a good run infield, onto Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s nice through pass, and finished confidently.
Peter Van predicted it! Jonathan David has given Gent the lead with a goal of unobtrusive call. There must have been at least 20 passes in the build-up. Eventually Roman Bezus put in a brilliant cross from the right, and David pulled off his man to steer an accomplished half-volley past Pau Lopez. Delightful stuff.
Adama Traore, back in his birthplace of Barcelona, scores at the second attempt to put Wolves 5-1 ahead on aggregate. They also have an away goal, which means Espanyol need at least five more to go through.
Latest scores
- Gent 0-0 Roma (agg: 0-1)
- Malmo 0-0 Wolfsburg (agg: 1-2)
- LASK 0-0 AZ Alkmaar (agg: 1-1)
- Basel 0-0 APOEL (agg: 3-0)
- Porto 0-1 Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)
- Istanbul Basaksehir 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 1-3)
- Espanyol 1-0 Wolves (agg: 1-4)
A-hem, as I was saying. Jonathan Calleri gives Espanyol the lead with a crisp finish at the near post from Pedrosa’s low cross.
Espanyol 0-0 Wolves No sign of an imminent nightmare for Wolves. Rui Patricio has just made a terrific save, though yer man was offside.
“I’ll be relying solely on your MBMing skills today as they no longer show Europa League games on TV here and I’m too cheap to pay to watch them,” says J. R. in Illinois. “Ah well. I guess I’ll just continue reading this book explaining why y’all Brexited yourselves even though I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand. Maybe if these games are uneventful and you’re looking for material you could try explaining it to me.”
No.
Leverkusen go 3-1 ahead on aggregate. As in the first leg, Lucas Alario had a goal disallowed for offside on the field and then given by VAR. It was a calm, accomplished finish at the end of a neat move, and Leverkusen are well on course for the last 16.
Espanyol 0-0 Wolves Nothing much to report after six minutes, though Espanyol have been lively enough. The RCDE Stadium looks a quarter full at best.
Peep peep! The seven early games have started.
These are the latest scores.
“Dear Rob,” says Peter Van. “I fully agree that tonight’s top matchup is Porto – Leverkusen. But I’d keep an eye on Gent-Roma too. I saw Gent demolish Wolfsburg in the group stages and I was impressed, I think they might turn it around against a hot-and-cold Roma team. And they feature striker Jonathan David, sure to be a recurring feature in your Rumour Mill column.
“On a different note – do you share the (very, very wrong) opinion as most of your colleagues in the English media, according to whom the Europa Vase is a waste of time, useful only as an alternative path to the Big Megabucks League?”
I’m no Europa League disciple – I have a very snobbish subconscious, which I hate – but even so, that attitude has always irritated me. When you win a trophy you should be high on glory, not your win bonus. That’s why I’ve really enjoyed watching Wolves in Europe this season, because there has been no entitlement or elitism.
“Evening Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “After Rangers and Man City STORMED it on the continent last night, it’d be good to see more British teams making a STATEMENT tonight. It’s all part of the Brexit dividend, innit? If we ignore what happened to Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, of course.”
I love that Britain (well, England) is even being shown up by Europe when it comes to VAR.
Some pre-match reading (and listening)
Team news
Wolves, who are 4-0 up from the first leg, have picked a weakened side to face Espanyol. They’ll regret that if they lose 12-0.
There’s a decent chance that there will be five British clubs in the last 16. Wolves and Arsenal should progress comfortably – should – while Celtic and Manchester United are favourites after managing score draws away to Copenhagen and Club Brugge respectively. The match of the night is probably in Portugal, where FC Porto start 2-1 down to Bayer Leverkusen.
And these are the 8pm games (9pm CET)
- Benfica v Shakhtar Donetsk (1-2)
- Internazionale v Ludogorets (2-0)
- Man Utd v Club Brugge (1-1)
- Arsenal v Olympiacos (1-0)
- Sevilla v CFR Cluj (1-1)
- Celtic v Copenhagen (1-1)
- Ajax v Getafe (0-2)
These are the 5.55pm kick-offs (6.55pm CET; first leg scores in brackets)
- Gent v Roma (0-1)
- Malmo v Wolfsburg (1-2)
- LASK v AZ Alkmaar (1-1)
- Basel v APOEL (3-0)
- Porto v Leverkusen (1-2)
- Istanbul Basaksehir v Sporting Lisbon (1-3)
- Espanyol v Wolves (0-4)
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Europa League last 32, phase B, part deux, second leg ties. Rangers have already qualified for the next round, so there are 15 more places up for grabs. The kick-offs are staggered as usual, with seven at 5.55pm UK time and seven more at 8pm.
A gold star for the first person who shouted at their screen: “Hang on, 7+7 does NOT equal 15! Do you get paid for this? ‘The world’s leading liberal voice’? Liberal maths more like lol.”
Yes, the match between Salzburg v Frankfurt has been postponed (or, to put it in the parlance of our times, POSTPONED) because of a storm warning. It has been rescheduled (RESCHEDULED) for tomorrow afternoon.
That’ll be then, this is now: let’s look at tonight’s games.