The UEFA Europa League 2024-25 group stage continued to thrill on Matchday 3, with Tottenham Hotspur securing their third consecutive victory to dominate their group, while Manchester United faced a challenging 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe. Elsewhere, Rangers triumphed with a strong display, and various clubs across Europe put on electrifying performances. This round-up delves into the notable moments and key outcomes from an intense round of fixtures.
Europa League 2024-25 Matchday 3 Roundup and Highlights
Spurs’ Streak Continues
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
Tottenham Hotspur’s stellar form remained intact as they clinched a narrow victory over AZ Alkmaar, extending their winning streak in the group stage. Richarlison, on his first start this season, converted a penalty to secure the win, making it three victories in three matches for Spurs. The Brazilian capitalized on Lucas Bergvall’s clever maneuver that earned the penalty, showing composure in front of goal.
Rising star Mikey Moore impressed with his vibrant runs and threatening attempts, adding spark to Tottenham’s performance. AZ’s David Møller Wolfe was dismissed in the closing stages, leaving the Dutch side shorthanded.
United and Fenerbahçe Battle to a Stalemate
Fenerbahçe 1-1 Manchester United
Despite early control, Manchester United were held to a third consecutive draw in a closely contested match against Fenerbahçe. Christian Eriksen gave United an early advantage in the 15th minute, finishing a swift passing sequence. The Turkish side responded in the second half when Youssef En-Nesyri headed in the equalizer just four minutes after the break.
United’s goalkeeper André Onana showcased his talent with a critical double save before halftime, thwarting En-Nesyri’s headers. Yet, United ultimately couldn’t break Fenerbahçe’s resilience and were forced to share points.
Rangers Dominate FCSB in Glasgow
Rangers 4-0 FCSB
Rangers delivered a commanding performance at home, cruising to a 4-0 win over Romania’s FCSB. Tom Lawrence kicked off the scoring in the tenth minute, set up beautifully by Václav Černý, who later added two goals himself, sandwiching halftime. Substitute Hamza Igmane joined the scoresheet with his debut goal for Rangers, sealing the emphatic victory.
With this result, Rangers collected their second group stage win, showcasing their offensive prowess and tightening their hold on group progression.
Notable Performances Across Europe
Lazio, Roma, and Anderlecht Keep Their Winning Form
Lazio continued to lead the Europa League standings, recording their third win with a 2-0 triumph over Twente, who faced adversity early with the dismissal of goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall after just 11 minutes. This win kept Lazio among the elite group with maximum points alongside Anderlecht, who defeated Ludogorets 2-0, and Tottenham.
In Rome, Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk converted a penalty in the 23rd minute, delivering a much-needed victory for Roma as they defeated Dynamo Kyiv. The result handed Dynamo their third loss of the campaign, leaving them among the only three teams yet to register a point this season, joining Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Qarabağ.
High Drama as Galatasaray and Bodø/Glimt Edge Out Wins
Galatasaray 4-3 Elfsborg
In a dramatic showdown, Galatasaray narrowly overcame Elfsborg with a 4-3 victory. The Turkish side initially looked dominant, taking a 3-0 lead, but they soon found themselves on the back foot as Elfsborg mounted an impressive comeback. Yunus Akgün’s decisive goal, his third in as many Europa League matches, proved crucial in keeping Galatasaray on top.
Braga 1-2 Bodø/Glimt
In another suspenseful encounter, Bodø/Glimt triumphed over Braga 2-1, courtesy of Villads Nielsen’s late header from a corner. Braga’s struggles were compounded as they played with ten men for much of the match. Bodø/Glimt’s resilience saw them through, and Nielsen’s composed finish provided the Norwegian side with a vital away victory.
Other Matchday 3 Results
The remainder of Matchday 3 saw various tightly contested clashes and narrow victories. Here’s a snapshot of additional results:
- Roma 1-0 Dynamo Kyiv
- Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 RFS
- Midtjylland 1-0 Union SG
- Ferencváros 1-0 Nice
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-2 Real Sociedad
- PAOK 2-2 Viktoria Plzeň
- Qarabağ 0-3 Ajax
- Athletic Club 1-0 Slavia Praha
- Porto 2-0 Hoffenheim
- Twente 0-2 Lazio
- Malmö 0-1 Olympiacos
- Lyon 0-1 Beşiktaş
These encounters highlight the competitive nature of this season’s Europa League, with each matchday bringing closer the fight for knockout stage qualification.
As Matchday 4 of the Europa League 2024-25 approaches, fans can anticipate another action-packed lineup that could define group standings and impact progression to the knockout rounds. Here’s a complete list of fixtures:
Matchday 4 Fixtures
Wednesday, 6 November
- Beşiktaş vs Malmö
Thursday, 7 November
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Slavia Praha
- Bodø/Glimt vs Qarabağ
- FCSB vs Midtjylland
- Galatasaray vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Elfsborg vs Braga
- Nice vs Twente
- Olympiacos vs Rangers
- Ludogorets vs Athletic Club
- Union SG vs Roma
- Ajax vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv
- AZ Alkmaar vs Fenerbahçe
- Dynamo Kyiv vs Ferencváros
- RFS vs Anderlecht
- Viktoria Plzeň vs Real Sociedad
- Manchester United vs PAOK
- Lazio vs Porto
- Hoffenheim vs Lyon
As each team aims for vital points, these fixtures promise to add further intrigue and intensity to this season’s Europa League. The stakes are higher than ever, with clubs battling not only for group supremacy but also for a stronger foothold in the European competition.
