Europa League wrap: Liverpool and Roma in driving seat while Qarabag hold Leverkusen to draw as German side now 35 games unbeaten this season

Liverpool took apart Sparta Praha away from home with a 5-1 victory. Caoimhin Kelleher couldn’t keep a clean sheet as Conor Bradley put the ball by the Ireland international goalkeeper with an own goal just after half-time.

Evan Ferguson got an eight minute run out off the bench in the Stadio Olimpico as Brighton were beaten 4-0 by Roma. The Italian side have lost just one of their last 31 European home games.

Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 by Gurban Gurbanov’s Qarabag side as Xabi Alonso’s team scored an injury time equaliser through Patrik Schick to keep their 35 game run unbeaten season going.

Benfica and Rangers also played out a 2-2 draw while West Ham lost 1-0 away in Freiburg. At the San Siro, Milan defeated Slavia Praha 4-2.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice as Marseille secured a comprehensive first-leg victory over the 2020/21 Europa League winners Villareal.

The second legs take place on Thursday 14 March, with extra time if the aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes (the away goals rule has been abolished).

The eight winners advance to the draws for the remainder of the competition on Friday 15 March.

Last 16 First Leg results

Sparta Praha 1-5 Liverpool

Roma 4-0 Brighton

Qarabağ 2-2 Leverkusen

Marseille 4-0 Villarreal

Benfica 2-2 Rangers

Freiburg 1-0 West Ham

AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Praha

Sporting CP 1-1 Atalanta

Europa Conference League wrap: Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Fenerbahce and Lille with big away wins in last 16 first legs https://t.co/Q33ZOTLelppic.twitter.com/uy8dQOsu4X

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 7, 2024