Conference League quarter‑finals set as final eight learn their fate

The Conference League quarter‑final lineup for the 2025‑26 season is officially complete after an eventful Round of 16. Shakhtar Donetsk advanced despite a 2‑1 defeat in the second leg against Lech Poznań, their earlier 3‑1 win proving decisive. They now face AZ Alkmaar, who dismantled Sparta Prague with a 2‑1 home victory followed by a dominant 4‑0 away performance. 

Rayo Vallecano also progressed, relying on a strong first‑leg cushion to edge past Samsunspor. Their next opponents, AEK Athens, produced one of the round’s standout comebacks, overturning a 2‑0 loss to Celje with an emphatic 4‑0 win in Greece. 

Mainz 05 booked their place by defeating Sigma Olomouc after a goalless first leg, setting up a clash with Strasbourg, who eliminated Rijeka through a narrow aggregate win. 

Fiorentina, consistent across both legs against Rakow Częstochowa, now meet Crystal Palace, who secured qualification with a tense 2‑1 victory over AEK Larnaca.