Manchester United led through Joshua Zirkzee in their Europa League last-16 first leg against Real Sociedad before a penalty saw them have to be content with a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham were beaten away against AZ Alkmaar thanks to a comical Lucas Bergvall own goal, and Rangers impressed as they defeated Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul.
In the Conference League, Chelsea emerged with a lead from their first leg at Copenhagen, winning 2-1.
United held
United boss Ruben Amorim had 11 players unavailable for the match in Spain
United boss Ruben Amorim had 11 players unavailable for the match in Spain(Bradley Collyer/PA)
Having showed the greater attacking threat, United – who had 11 first-team players unavailable – went ahead in Spain in the 57th minute when Zirkzee fired in from the edge of the box.
The subsequent equaliser, 13 minutes later, came via VAR as Bruno Fernandes was penalised for handball.
Mikel Oyarzabal struck the resulting penalty past Andre Onana, and the hosts were then on top as it ended all square.
United boss Ruben Amorim said he felt the team were “really tired” in the final 20 minutes, and agreed with Zirkzee’s assessment that they need to be “relentless” when they have chances.
Bergvall blunder
Lucas Bergvall (second right) looped an attempted clearance into his own net at AZ Alkmaar
Lucas Bergvall (second right) looped an attempted clearance into his own net at AZ Alkmaar(Peter Lous/PA)
Tottenham will have to come from behind to advance from their last-16 tie after an unfortunate moment for Bergvall early on in the contest in the Netherlands.
The teenager inadvertently looped the ball into his own net in the 18th minute as he sliced an attempted clearance.
It was part of a lacklustre display from Spurs, who did not register a shot on target until the 88th minute, and boss Ange Postecoglu afterwards said it was “nowhere near the level it needed to be”.
Rampant Rangers
Vaclav Cerny (right) scored a brace for Rangers at Fenerbahce after Cyriel Dessers had given them an early lead (left)
Vaclav Cerny (right) scored a brace for Rangers at Fenerbahce after Cyriel Dessers had given them an early lead (left)(Andrew Milligan/PA)
Playing their third match under interim boss Barry Ferguson following Philippe Clement’s sacking, Rangers produced a superb performance in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium that included a brace from Vaclav Cerny.
Cyriel Dessers put the visitors in front with a sixth-minute strike before Alexander Djiku levelled on the half-hour mark.
The Gers subsequently regained the lead just before half-time when Dessers set up Cerny.
And after Dessers had two efforts disallowed for offside early in the second half, Cerny then added his second late in the contest.
Chelsea claim narrow advantage
We take a lead back to Stamford Bridge! 😁👊#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/dHGp2YmQEG
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2025
With the first half of the match in Denmark having seen Chelsea largely fail to trouble Copenhagen, boss Enzo Maresca made a triple substitution at the interval.
The Blues then grabbed the lead in the opening minute of the second half courtesy of Reece James and Enzo Fernandez, one of those introduced at the break, made it 2-0 in the 65th minute.
The home side reduced the deficit with 11 minutes of normal time to go as Gabriel Pereira headed past Robert Sanchez.
What’s on today?
Borja Sainz is Norwich’s top-scorer this season
Borja Sainz is Norwich’s top-scorer this season(Zac Goodwin/PA)
The Scottish Cup quarter-finals get under way as Hearts welcome Dundee to Tynecastle.
There is also action in the Championship, with Norwich, four points outside the play-off places, hosting an Oxford outfit who have lost each of their last three matches and are seven points above the relegation zone.