ROME – Bologna secured a dramatic berth in the Europa League quarter-finals Thursday, overcoming AS Roma 5-4 on aggregate after a thrilling second-leg encounter that ended 4-3 in extra time. A late goal from Nicolo Cambiaghi proved decisive, sending the Italian side through to face either Liverpool or Sparta Prague in the next round. The victory caps a remarkable run for Bologna, who have exceeded expectations in this year’s competition.
The match at the Stadio Olimpico was a back-and-forth affair, with Jonathan Rowe opening the scoring for Bologna in the 22nd minute, assisted by Santiago Castro. Roma responded ten minutes later through a header from Evan Ndicka. Bologna regained the lead before halftime with a penalty converted by Federico Bernardeschi, awarded after a foul on Nadir Zortea. Castro then extended Bologna’s advantage early in the second half, seemingly putting the tie beyond Roma’s reach.
However, Roma mounted a spirited comeback. Donyell Malen converted a penalty in the 69th minute, reducing the deficit, and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini leveled the score in the 80th minute, forcing the match into extra time. The tension was palpable as both teams battled for a winner, but it was Cambiaghi who ultimately broke the deadlock, firing a low shot past the Roma goalkeeper to seal Bologna’s progression. The aggregate score finished 5-4 in Bologna’s favor.
Bologna’s Upset Continues Europa League Drama
Bologna’s journey to the quarter-finals represents a significant achievement for the club and Italian football. Their success comes as a surprise to many, having navigated a challenging group stage and then overcome a tough round of 16 tie against a strong Roma side. This represents a testament to their tactical flexibility and the determination of their players.
The match statistics reflected the closely contested nature of the game. Bologna held 51.4% of the possession, although Roma had 48.6%. Both teams registered 13 shot attempts, with Bologna having 4 shots on goal to Roma’s 2. The game similarly saw 3 yellow cards for Bologna and 2 for Roma, highlighting the intensity of the contest. ESPN provided a detailed match report, outlining the key moments, and statistics.
Aston Villa and Porto Also Advance
Bologna wasn’t the only team celebrating a quarter-final berth on Thursday. Aston Villa continued their impressive European run, defeating Lille 2-0 at Villa Park for a 3-0 aggregate victory. Captain John McGinn opened the scoring in the 54th minute, and Leon Bailey added a second four minutes from time, securing Villa’s third successive appearance in a European quarter-final. Aston Villa’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, has been instrumental in their success, earning praise from teammates like John McGinn.
Elsewhere, Real Betis overturned a first-leg deficit with a dominant 4-0 home win against Panathinaikos, completing a 4-1 aggregate victory. Aitor Ruibal and Sofyan Amrabat scored before halftime, with Cucho Hernandez and Antony adding goals in the second half. Betis will face Braga in the last eight.
FC Porto also progressed, defeating VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on the night to secure a 4-1 aggregate win. William Gomes and Victor Froholdt scored for Porto, while Nikolas Nartey was sent off for Stuttgart in the 77th minute. Porto will now face Nottingham Forest, who advanced on penalties against FC Midtjylland.
Quarter-Final Lineup Takes Shape
The Europa League quarter-final lineup is beginning to seize shape, with several exciting ties already confirmed. As of March 19, 2026, the confirmed pairings are:
- Bologna vs. Liverpool/Sparta Prague
- Aston Villa vs. TBD
- Real Betis vs. Braga
- FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest
The remaining quarter-final matchups will be determined by the conclusion of the remaining second-leg ties. The BBC is providing live updates and results from all Europa League matches.
Bologna’s unexpected run in the Europa League has injected excitement into the competition and demonstrated the growing competitiveness of Italian football on the European stage. The quarter-final stage promises further drama and intrigue as the remaining contenders battle for a place in the semi-finals. The next confirmed action will be the draw for the quarter-final and semi-final pairings, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
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