(Football news) Union Berlin caused a major upset against Ajax as they won 3-1 to book a spot in the Europa League round of 16. The Berliners came to the Bundesliga only in 2019, and have already advanced 3-1 on aggregate after a goalless first leg in Amsterdam, as the fans went wild with celebrations at the Alte Foersterei stadium. Union are unbeaten in 2023, as they are joint top of the Bundesliga alongside Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. A Robin Knoche penalty in the 20th minute put them in front before defender Josip Juranovic’s shot from outside the box as the ball slipped through the fingers of Geronimo Rulli.
The former European champions did pull a goal back in the 47th minute with Mohammed Kudus turned in a Steven Bergwijn cross but Union quickly restored their two-goal lead with Danilho Doekhi’s pinpoint header three minutes later. It was another disappointing night in the Europa League for Ajax, who reached the knockout phase for the record 10th time but have now been eliminated at the first hurdle. They were also left with 10 men when Edson Alvarez was sent off following a second booking in stoppage time. High-flying Union will have little time to celebrate this historic win as they travel to Bayern on Sunday in their battle for the top spot in the Bundesliga.
AS Roma qualified as goals by Andrea Belotti and Paulo Dybala earned them a 2-0 victory at home to FC Salzburg in their Europa League playoff second leg as the Italians clinched a spot with a 2-1 aggregate score. Jose Mourinho’s team were trailing from the first leg after a late header by Nicolas Capaldo in Austria but the host attacked aggressively from the start in Rome. They took a deserved lead after 33 minutes when Leonardo Spinazzola managed to get into the box and sent a cross that deflected off a Salzburg defender and landed straight to Andrea Belotti, who sent a low header into the net.
Paulo Dybala turned the tie around when he volleyed home Spinazzola’s cross for the second goal just before the break. After a first half in which Roma had total domination, the visitors tried to battle back into the match but they could not break down the hosts’ defence. Roma are now subsequently unbeaten in their last 14 home games in the knockout stages of major European competitions as the draw for the round of 16 will be held on Friday.
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