The Spanish Rayo Vallecano and the Ukrainian Shakhtar brought convincing victories (3-1) in the return matches from the first games, and even with losses they went to the quarterfinals, and they were joined by the Dutch AZ Alkmaar, who celebrated with a 4-0 away win against Sparta Prague.
At halftime, Polish Lech had a score (2-0) that earned them at least extra time, thanks to goals by Mikael Ishak in the 13th minute and in the seventh minute of extra time, when he realized a penalty kick.
The accident ruined Shakhtar’s goal which brought the Ukrainian team a place in the quarterfinals, and it was scored by the defender of the Polish team, Joao Moutinho, who deflected the ball into his own net for the final 1-2, so Shakhtar advanced with a total of 4-3.
Antonio Milić played the whole game for Lech and managed the visiting defense well.
Shakhtar, AZ, Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg get the results they need to progress 👏#UECL pic.twitter.com/xt4dSQg0vS
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) March 19, 2026
In Madrid it is Turkish Samsunspor won with a goal from Cherif Ndiaye in the 65th minute, but the man of the match was the visiting goalkeeper Kocuk who is most responsible for the visitors being in the game for extra time until the final whistle. Toni Borevković played for the Turkish team from the 87th minute.
The first matches of the quarterfinals of the Conference League are scheduled for April 9, and the pairs are: Shakhtar – AZ Alkmaar, Crystal Palace – Fiorentina, Rayo Vallecano – AEK Athens and Mainz – Strasbourg.
The second leg will be played a week later.
Conference League Round of 16 – second legs
AEK Athens – Celje 0-2 (Josifov 13, Požeg Vancaš 42)
(4-2 on aggregate for AEK Athens)
AEK Larnaca – Crystal Palace 1-2 (Saborit 63 / Sarr 13, 99) – extra time
(2-1 on aggregate to Crystal Palace)
Rakow – Fiorentina 1-2 (Struski 46 / Ndour 68, Pongracic 90+7)
(4-2 on aggregate for Fiorentina)
Mainz – Sigma Olomouc 2-0 (Posch 46, Sieb 82)
(2-0 on aggregate for Mainz)
Strasbourg – Rijeka 1-1 (V. Barco 71 / Fruk 21)
(3-2 on aggregate for Strasbourg)
Sparta Prague – AZ Alkmaar 0-4 (Jensen 8, Parrott 58, Mijnans 62, Daal 73)
(6-1 on aggregate for AZ Alkmaar)
Shakhtar – Lech 1-2 (Moutinho 67-ag / Ishak 13, 45+7-11m)
(total 4-3 for Shakhtar)
Rayo Vallecano – Samsunspor 0-1 (Ndiaye 65)
(3-2 on aggregate for Rayo Vallecano)
Quarter-final pairs (April 9 and 15/16)
Shakhtar – AZ Alkmaar
Crystal Palace – Fiorentina
Rayo Vallecano – AEK Athens
Mainz – Strasburg
(Hina | Photo: X)
