Former European champions Ajax, Chelsea, and FCSB all progressed in their respective European competitions on Thursday.
Ajax, a four-time European champion, easily advanced in the Europa League. Goals from Kian Fitz-Jim, Kenneth Taylor, and Brian Brobbey secured a 3-0 win over Polish club Jagiellonia, leading to a 7-1 aggregate victory.
Romanian club FCSB, who won the 1986 European Cup as Steaua Bucharest, narrowly made it through when Darius Olaru scored in added time, securing a 1-0 win against Austria's LASK and a 2-1 aggregate win.
In the Europa League, Ciro Immobile continued his goal-scoring streak in Turkey, netting twice as Besiktas defeated Swiss side Lugano 5-1, advancing with an 8-4 aggregate score.
Chelsea, competing in the third-tier Conference League and leading by two goals from the first leg against Servette, made several changes to their lineup after their Premier League victory over Wolves. Christophe Nkunku’s penalty put Chelsea ahead in Geneva, but Servette responded with goals from Jeremy Guillemenot and Enzo Crivelli. Despite losing 2-1 on the night, Chelsea advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.
Welsh team New Saints reached the Conference League group stage after a goalless draw with Lithuania's Panevezys, having led 3-0 from the first leg. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Larne advanced thanks to Andrew Ryan’s hat-trick of penalties, overcoming Gibraltar's Red Imps despite being reduced to 10 men.
