Man Utd was held at Real Sociedad as Roma edged Bilbao at Stadio Olimpico
Europa League and Conference League fixtures were all over the spotlights as Man Utd was forced to a draw at Real Sociedad, while AS Roma beat Athletic Bilbao at Stadio Olimpico.
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Man United vs Real Sociedad – A Tense 1-1 Thriller
In the early hours of March 7, Manchester United and Real Sociedad played out a hard-fought first-leg Europa League match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Despite United’s recent struggles—with five draws or losses in their last seven games—they managed to avoid defeat at Sociedad’s home. The match remained largely quiet until around the 37th minute when United had a golden chance in a chaotic scramble inside the box. Diogo Dalot’s cross found Bruno Fernandes, but Sociedad’s defense denied his close-range effort from about 7 meters.
The deadlock was finally broken late in the first half when Alejandro Garnacho set up Joshua Zirkzee to open the scoring. Garnacho had two further opportunities to extend United’s lead but was unable to convert them. Then, in the 70th minute, United conceded a penalty after Bruno Fernandes’s attempt at heading the ball was ruled to have deflected off his hand in the box.
Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the spot-kick to level the score at 1-1. With the tie finely balanced, United now look ahead to the return leg at Old Trafford.
AS Roma vs Athletic Bilbao – A Thrilling 2-1 Win at Stadio Olimpico
At the Stadio Olimpico, AS Roma secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in a pulsating Europa League encounter. Despite their fighting spirit, Bilbao was reduced to 10 men after a red card was issued when Yeray Alvarez received his second yellow in the 85th minute. The visitors struck first in the 50th minute when Inaki Williams capitalized on a well-worked corner—Aitor Paredes rising high to head the ball past the keeper.
Roma responded six minutes later when Angelino, receiving a precise cross from Mehmet Celik on the right flank, unleashed a sublime strike inside the box to level the score. As the match entered its final moments, the pressure mounted on Bilbao. In the 90+3 minute, with Athletic Bilbao still at 10 men, AS Roma’s intensity forced a decisive moment. Alexis Saelemaekers provided a pinpoint assist for Eldor Shomurodov, whose clinical finish in the dying seconds secured the winner. They gave Claudio Ranieri’s side a significant advantage heading into the return leg.
Lazio vs Viktoria Plzen – A Dramatic 2-1 Victory Amidst Red Card Chaos
In another riveting Europa League first-leg fixture, Lazio overcame Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in a match filled with drama and controversy. The home side initially had a goal disallowed in the 11th minute after VAR ruled offside on Pavel Sulc’s effort. Lazio took control in the 18th minute when central defender Alessio Romagnoli rose above the opposition to head the ball into the net from a corner.
The intensity continued as the game progressed, and in the 53rd minute, a well-placed header from Rafiu Durosinmi, following a cross from Lukas Kalvach, equalized the match. The match took a chaotic turn in the second half: in the 77th minute, Nicolo Rovella was shown a straight red following a VAR review, reducing Lazio to 10 men. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, Samuel Gigot was also sent off in the 90+3 minute, leaving Lazio with just nine players on the pitch. Despite these setbacks, Lazio managed to hold their nerve. In the 90+8 minute, Gustav Isaksen capitalized on a clever pass from Matteo Guendouzi, firing a stunning shot into the top corner to secure the winner for Lazio. This hard-earned victory gives Lazio a significant advantage heading into the return leg on March 11 in Spain.
Other UEFA Europa League & Conference League Results
Europa League Round of 16 – First Legs:
- Man United 1-1 Real Sociedad
- AS Roma 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
- Lazio 2-1 Viktoria Plzen
- Fenebarhce 1-3 Rangers
- AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
- FCSB 1-3 Lyon
- Ajax 1-2 Frankfurt
- Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Olympiacos
Conference League Round of 16 – First Legs:
- Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea
- Molde 3-2 Legia Warsaw
- Panathinaikos 3-2 Fiorentina
- Real Betis 2-2 Vitória de Guimarães
- Borac Banja Luka 1-1 Rapid Wien
- Jagiellonia Bialystok 3-0 Cercle Brugge
- NK Ceije 1-0 Lugano
- Pafos FC 1-0 Djurgaarden
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