UEFA Europa League, Round Of 16: Early Wrap
After a 2-2 draw in Belgium, the tie looked tilted in Hannover’s favour, and the Bundesliga club more or less wrapped things up in the first half. It took just four minutes for Mohammed Abdellaoue to open the scoring from close range, and an own goal by Antonio Kanu made it 4-2 on aggregate in the 21st minute. Things would get worse for Standard Liege when Serge Gekpe chopped down Karim Haggui for a second bookable offence early in the second half, and another own goal by Kanu sealed their fate. The icing on Hannover’s cake came in the last minute, when Sergio Pinto made it 4-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.
PSV Eindoven vs. Valencia
After a 4-2 loss at the Mestalla, PSV had a mountain to climb against Valencia and never really looked like making it. Adil Rami's headed goal at the beginning of the second half wrapped things up for the La Liga side, and although PSV dangerman Ola Toivonen pulled a goal back fifteen minutes later, the hosts never looked likely to overturn even the deficit. The match eventually finished 1-1, leading Valencia to a 5-3 aggregate win that was somewhat marred by Rami's dismissal in the 89th minute, the defender being shown a straight red for a foul on Toivonen in the box that somehow didn't result in a penalty.
Udinese Vs. AZ Alkmaar
Although Udinese were staring a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, things looked very bright for the hosts as the game began. Within minutes of kickoff, AZ were down to ten men and losing on the night, with Nick Viergever dismissed for bringing down Antonio Floro Flores in the box and Antonio di Natale converting the resultant penalty. Udinese added a second when di Natale finished from close range ten minutes later, and it looked for all the world that the rout was on. Then something strange happened - Alkmaar scored. Half an hour in, Simon Poulsen managed to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Erik Falkenburg, who danced past a tackle and fired into the top corner. It was a vital away goal, and it turned out to be all the visitors needed as they lost 2-1 on the night but won 3-2 on aggregate.
See More:
