UEL: Bologna Stuns Roma in 7-Goal Thriller, Advances to Europa League Quarters

Bologna stuns Roma in Europa League thriller

Bologna edges Roma 4-3 in extra time, wins 5-4 on aggregate, and reaches Europa League quarterfinals for first time since 1998/99.

Roma knew it was still very much game on as the second half got underway...

Bologna advanced to the quarter-finals of a major European competition for the first time since 1998/99, as a 4-3 win after extra-time over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico gave them a 5-4 aggregate success in their UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 tie.

Roma looked the greater threat in the opening exchanges, dominating possession, but Bologna took the lead against the run of play on 22 minutes. A wonderful team move ended with Jonathan Rowe receiving the ball and sending a right-footed effort flying into the top right-hand corner of the net, scoring one of the goals of the season.

The hosts needed a response, and they managed to find one just after the half-hour mark.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's goal-bound free-kick from 30 yards was well saved by Federico Ravaglia, but the first-half substitute turned provider as his resulting corner was headed home by Evan Ndicka.

However, in stoppage time, Bologna restored their advantage from the penalty spot with Federico Bernardeschi sending Mile Svilar the wrong way after Stephan El Shaarawy was adjudged to have brought Nadir Zortea down inside the area.

Roma knew it was still very much game on as the second half got underway, but with the hour mark approaching their task became doubly difficult.

A header back to Ndicka wasn’t dealt with by the defender, and Santiago Castro capitalised by running onto the loose ball and firing past Svilar to double Bologna’s advantage on the night and on aggregate.

The Giallorossi didn’t initially offer much hope of a comeback, but they were given a lifeline with just over 20 minutes remaining when Remo Freuler brought down Robinio Vaz inside the area, and Donyell Malen converted from the penalty spot for his eighth goal in 11 matches.

The successful spot-kick set up a grandstand finish, and with just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining, the hosts dramatically drew level.

Pellegrini's effort from the edge of the area found the bottom left-hand corner, ensuring the tie headed to extra time.

Both sides looked nervy for large periods of extra time, fearing the cost of any errors.

Bologna come out on top in an epic contest 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/vunNrUs0TD

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 19, 2026

The visitors snatched victory 11 minutes before the end when Nicolo Cambiaghi raced onto Thijs Dallinga’s through ball before sneaking his effort past Svilar at his near post to send the vocal away end into rapturous celebration.

Bologna can now look forward to a quarter-final tie with Aston Villa, after this dramatic victory marked their sixth successive win in all competitions.

Bologna are quarter-finalists 🫂#UEL pic.twitter.com/yt9zWl5jFU

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 19, 2026

The Rossoblu will be hoping to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered to the Villans in the opening round of this season’s league phase.

In contrast, Roma exit the UEL after their fifth consecutive winless match across all competitions.