Athletic Bilbao knocks out Roma in Europa League. Lazio and Frankfurt also reach quarterfinals

By Canadian Press on March 13, 2025.

Athletic Bilbao used a one-man advantage and two goals from Nico Williams to beat Roma 3-1 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League on Thursday.

Roma won the first leg of their round-of-16 tie 2-1 last week but had to play with 10 men from the 11th minute after Mats Hummels received a straight red card for downing Maroan Sannadi.

The visitors held firm until first-half stoppage time when the Williams brothers broke the deadlock. Nico was at the far post when a deflected cross by Inaki from the left landed in his path to score the opener.

Yuri Berchiche headed in the second and Nico added his second of the night to seal it for the hosts to remain in contention for the final that will take place at their stadium on May 21. Leandro Paredes scored for Roma in stoppage time.

Athletic will face either Rangers or Fenerbahce next.

Lazio advanced after Alessio Romagnoli’s header in the 77th minute salvaged a 1-1 home draw with Viktoria Plzen, which got an early second-half goal from Pavel Šulc. Lazio had beaten Plzen 2-1 in the first leg.

Eintracht Frankfurt beat Ajax 4-1 at home to reach the quarterfinals with a 6-2 aggregate score. Mario Götze led the 2022 Europa League champion and 1980 UEFA Cup winner with two goals.

Frankfurt will face either Tottenham or AZ Alkmaar next.

Bodø/Glimt also advanced despite losing 2-1 at Olympiacos. The Norwegian team had won 3-0 at home last week and moved on through a 4-2 aggregate score.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Karel Janicek, The Associated Press