Europa League Quarter-Finals: Four Ties, One Night — Who's Making the Semi-Finals?
Europa League Quarter-Finals: Four Ties, One Night — Who's Making the Semi-Finals?
Thursday 16 April 2026 | UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final Second Legs
Four ties, four completely different stories. Tonight the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals reach their conclusion, and by 11 PM across Europe we'll know which four clubs are heading to Istanbul to compete in the semi-finals. One tie looks all but done. Two are on a knife-edge. And one may just produce the biggest comeback in Europa League knockout history.
Here's everything you need to know — what happened in the first legs, what each team needs tonight, and where the drama is most likely to explode.
The Four Ties at a Glance
| Match (Second Leg) | First Leg | Aggregate | KO (CET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Celta Vigo vs 🇩🇪 Freiburg | Freiburg 3–0 Celta | Freiburg lead 3–0 | 18:45 |
| 🏴 Nottingham Forest vs 🇵🇹 Porto | Porto 1–1 Forest | Level 1–1 | 21:00 |
| 🇪🇸 Real Betis vs 🇵🇹 SC Braga | Braga 1–1 Betis | Level 1–1 | 21:00 |
| 🏴 Aston Villa vs 🇮🇹 Bologna | Bologna 1–3 Villa | Villa lead 3–1 | 21:00 |
Celta Vigo vs SC Freiburg — The Miracle Match Nobody Expects
Let's be honest: this tie is almost certainly over. Freiburg blew Celta away in the first leg at the Europa-Park Stadium, with Vincenzo Grifo opening the scoring in the 10th minute, Jan-Niklas Beste making it two before half-time, and Matthias Ginter wrapping things up on 78 minutes in a dominant 3–0 win.
The Spanish side were outclassed. They registered zero shots on target all game while Freiburg put seven on goal. Since then things have barely improved — Celta suffered a heavy home defeat to La Liga strugglers Real Oviedo at the weekend, losing 3–0.
Coach Claudio Giráldez is staying defiant, insisting his side will be "more dangerous, because we have nothing to lose." Only once since the Europa League's rebranding in 2009 has a team overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit in the knockout phase. For Freiburg, tonight would be something genuinely historic — Julian Schuster's side are on the verge of a first-ever European semi-final. They don't need to win. They just need to not implode.
Freiburg advance comfortably. Watch for Vincenzo Grifo — already Freiburg's all-time leading scorer with 107 club goals, and he's not done adding to the tally tonight.
Nottingham Forest vs FC Porto — The Real Coin Flip
Everything still to play for at the City Ground. The first leg in Porto was a tense 1–1 stalemate — William Gomes put Porto ahead early through a flowing team move, before an unfortunate own goal from Martim Fernandes gave Forest their lucky equaliser. From that moment very little separated the two sides.
Forest head into this with form on their side, extending their unbeaten run to five matches at the weekend. But Porto are not to be underestimated — Francesco Farioli's side have lost just four of their 46 fixtures this season and sit top of the Primeira Liga.
The City Ground atmosphere will be electric. Forest beat Fenerbahçe 3–0 in the play-offs and survived a penalty shoot-out against Midtjylland in the round of 16 to earn their place here. A home semi-final push? The East Midlands would go absolutely berserk.
"We know Porto are a massive club with incredible European history. But we don't fear anyone at the City Ground."
The hardest to call of the night. Porto's European experience is formidable, but Forest's home atmosphere gives them the edge. Narrow Forest win — 2–1 on the night — to go through on aggregate.
Real Betis vs SC Braga — Seville Expects
The green-and-white half of Seville is ready to erupt. After a 1–1 draw in Portugal last week — Florian Grillitsch's sublime flick giving Braga an early lead before Cucho Hernández's emphatic second-half penalty earned Betis their draw — Manuel Pellegrini's side now have home advantage to settle it.
Betis are yet to lose at home in this season's Europa League (W4 D1), while Braga have lost just one of their away games in the competition (W2 D2). A full Benito Villamarín roaring behind a team this close to a first-ever Europa League semi-final is an extraordinary advantage.
"We need to be clinical in both boxes, attacking and defending." — Braga coach Carlos Vicens
Real Betis edge through at home. The quality of Pellegrini's squad combined with a sold-out Villamarín proves too much for a brave Braga side. Betis into the semi-finals for the very first time.
Aston Villa vs Bologna — Watkins Already Has One Foot In
Ollie Watkins was the difference in Italy. Villa's 3–1 victory away at Bologna saw the English striker score twice, giving Unai Emery's side a commanding advantage heading back to Villa Park. Villa are appearing in their third European quarter-final in as many seasons — European football is no longer new territory for them.
Bologna's Lewis Ferguson admitted the task is enormous: "We know it will be very difficult but we will have nothing to lose in Birmingham and we will give it a try." Emery warned his squad not to be complacent, praising their "fantastic" reaction after Bologna pulled one back in the first leg.
Emiliano Martínez in goal adds another layer of security — the Argentine has been outstanding throughout this European campaign. Overturning a two-goal deficit against a Villa side this organised under Emery? Extremely unlikely.
Aston Villa progress comfortably. Bologna may grab a goal but Villa manage the tie professionally. 1–1 on the night, Villa through 4–2 on aggregate.
Semi-Final Picture Taking Shape
Based on how the bracket falls, the semi-finals will pair the winners as follows:
- Semi-Final 1: Braga/Real Betis vs Freiburg/Celta — First legs 30 April, second legs 7 May
- Semi-Final 2: Porto/Nottingham Forest vs Bologna/Aston Villa
- Final: 20 May 2026 at Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul 🇹🇷
If the predictions hold, that sets up a mouthwatering Betis vs Freiburg semi-final — the green tsunami of Seville against Germany's unlikely continental dreamers — and potentially an all-English tie between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Two Premier League clubs battling it out for a place in the Istanbul final. European football nights do not get much better than this.
Bottom Line
Tonight's Europa League quarter-finals deliver exactly what knockout football promises — certainty mixed with chaos. Freiburg are almost certainly through. Villa should be fine. But Forest vs Porto and Betis vs Braga are genuine coin flips. Set the alarm, make the coffee, and enjoy every second.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Europa League quarter-final second leg matches today?
On April 16 2026 there are four second leg ties: Celta Vigo vs Freiburg (18:45 CET), and then Nottingham Forest vs Porto, Real Betis vs Braga, and Aston Villa vs Bologna (all 21:00 CET).
What was the Freiburg vs Celta Vigo first leg score?
Freiburg won the first leg 3–0 at home, with goals from Grifo (10'), Beste (32'), and Ginter (78'). Celta need a 4-goal swing to progress — it would be one of the greatest Europa League comebacks in history.
Who is favourite to win the 2026 Europa League?
Aston Villa are widely considered the strongest remaining team, with Unai Emery's European pedigree and Ollie Watkins in brilliant form. Nottingham Forest and Real Betis are also genuine contenders depending on tonight's results.
Where is the 2026 Europa League final being played?
The final takes place on 20 May 2026 at Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
How do I watch the Europa League quarter-finals tonight?
In Australia, Europa League matches are broadcast on Stan Sport and Paramount+. UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports. US viewers can stream on Paramount+.