Dybala double sends Roma to Europa League last 16 as Fenerbahce, Alkmaar and Real Sociedad advance

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Roma’s Paulo Dybala, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Roma’s Paulo Dybala, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Roma’s Paulo Dybala, right, scores his side’s opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Porto’s Samu Omorodion, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Roma’s Paulo Dybala reacts during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Twente’s goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall, centre, and Bodø/Glimt’s Jostein Gundersen, centre right, challenge for the ball during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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Twente’s players celebrate after Bodø/Glimt’s Fredrik Sjøvold scored an own goal during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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Twente’s Michal Sadilek hits the post during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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PAOK’s Baba Rahman, left, jumps for a header with FCSB’s David Miculescu during the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

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FCSB’s David Miculescu, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side’s second goalduring the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

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PAOK’s Dimitrios Pelkas holds his leg after an injury during the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

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Twente’s players react after missing a chance during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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Twente’s goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall makes a save during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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Bodø/Glimt’s Kasper Høgh scores a penalty, his side’s first goal during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

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Betis’ Vitor Roque walks past the referee after receiving a red card during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

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Gent’s Archie Brown celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

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Betis’ Antony applauds during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

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Copenhagen’s Kevin Diks, second right, scores his side’s second goal during a Conference League playoff match between FC Heidenheim 1846 and FC Copenhagen in Heidenheim, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

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Copenhagen’s Birger Meeling, left, and Heidenheim’s Marvin Pieringer, right, challenge for the ball during a Conference League playoff match between FC Heidenheim 1846 and FC Copenhagen in Heidenheim, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

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Fenerbahce’s Milan Skriniar, celebrates after Fenerbahce’s Yusuf Akcicek scored his sides second goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Anderlecht’s Luis Vazquez, center, celebrates with Anderlecht’s Adryelson, right, after scoring his sides second goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Riot police are deployed after an incident with supporters during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Players leave the pitch after an incident with supporters during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Fenerbahce’s head coach Jose Mourinho, left, during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Anderlecht’s Thorgan Hazard, center, gestures toward the stands as play is disrupted during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri, center, scores the opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

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Ajax’s goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, left, challenges for the ball with Union SG’s Promise David during the Europa League play-off soccer match between Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Ajax’s goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, center, challenges for the ball with Union SG’s Promise David during the Europa League play-off soccer match between Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Plzen players celebrate after the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Ferencvaros at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Plzen players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Ferencvaros at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

By KAREL JANICEK

Paulo Dybala struck twice in four minutes as Roma beat Porto 3-2 to reach the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.

Dybala returned from a knee injury sustained in the first-leg 1-1 draw a week ago in Portugal, and Roma advanced on a 4-3 aggregate score.

Porto went ahead thanks to Samu’s acrobatic volley over his shoulder to take a 2-1 aggregate lead but Dybala started the comeback with an equalizer in the 35th with a left-footed shot inside the far post. The second clinical finish came from inside the area to the near post.

Porto’s hopes were dented when Stephen Eustáquio was sent off after getting a red card only six minutes into the second half.

Substitute Niccolò Pisilli added the third before another substitute Devyne Rensch’s own goal in stoppage time.

Roma, the 2022 Conference League champion, will next play either Lazio or Bilbao.

The game between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was briefly suspended due to crowd trouble in Brussels. The problems took place shortly after Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Fenerbahce in the fourth minute. The Turkish team had won the first leg 3-0. After a 2-2 draw, Fenerbahce advanced 5-2 on aggregate.

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The match had been suspended for “security issues,” UEFA said. Riot police were deployed in the stands and play resumed after some 15 minutes.

Alkmaar advanced after a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray that saw the Dutch club reach the next round on a 6-3 aggregate score.

Alkmaar got goals from Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius before Victor Osimhen struck for the Istanbul club. Roland Sallai’s equalizer salvaged at least a draw on the night for the hosts.

Alkmaar is set to face either Manchester United or Tottenham next.

Romanian team FCSB beat PAOK 2-0 to progress on a 4-1 aggregate score.

Norway’s Bodø/Glimt scored twice in extra time to beat Dutch side Twente 5-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. Three goals in stoppage time sent the match to extra time where goals from substitute Sondre Brunstad Fet (111th) and an own from Arno Verschueren (114th) confirmed the win. The Norwegian team is amid a winter break that will not end until the start of the domestic league on March 29.

Luka Sučić’s first-half double led Real Sociedad to a 5-2 victory over 10-man Midtjylland and to the round of 16 on a 7-3 aggregate score to next play either Tottenham or Manchester United.

Viktoria Plzen overcame a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to beat Ferencvaros 3-0.

Ajax’s 2-0 advantage against Saint-Gilloise was erased in the first half as the Dutch powerhouse was reduced to 10 with Davy Klaassen sent off. Substitute Kenneth Taylor converted a spot kick three minutes into extra time for Ajax to advance.

The eight winners of the playoffs will be unseeded teams in Friday’s draw and will host the first-leg games on March 6.

The top eight in the 36-team league standings — Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiacos and Rangers — had made straight the round of 16. They will host second legs on March 13.

The Conference League

In the third-tier Conference League, Real Betis was reduced to 10 men eight minutes before time and conceded a winning goal from Gent but still advanced thanks to its 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Molde was also down to 10 from the final minute but went on to prevail in a penalty shootout over Shamrock Rovers after winning 1-0 in Dublin.

Copenhagen edged European newcomer Heidenheim 3-1 in extra time to make the next round 4-3 on aggregate.

Pafos advanced after beating Omonoia an all-Cypriot matchup 2-1 following a 1-1 draw a week ago.

Bosnia’s Borac held Olimpija 0-0 in Ljubljana to advance 1-0 on aggregate.

Panathinaikos is into the next round with a 2-0 victory over Víkingur Reykjavík on 3-2 aggregate. Jagiellonia beat TSC 6-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 home win. Celje upset APOEL 2-0 at home and has advanced.

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