The dust has finally settled on one of the most chaotic quarter-final Thursdays in recent memory. After a night of red cards, centenary goals, and crossbar-shaking drama, the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League semi-finalists are officially locked in.
The headline? An all-English heavyweight clash and a battle between two of Europe’s most resilient tactical sides. Here are the four teams left standing on the road to the final in Istanbul.
1. Aston Villa (England)
Unai Emery’s men are looking like the team to beat. Villa reached the semi-finals in emphatic fashion, dismantling Bologna 4-0 at Villa Park (7-1 on aggregate). The night was a celebration of Ollie Watkins, who tapped home his 100th goal for the club. With a perfect blend of tactical discipline and ruthless finishing, the Lions are roaring toward what could be a historic piece of silverware.
2. Nottingham Forest (England)
The “Miracle on the Trent” continues. For the first time in 42 years, Nottingham Forest are in a European semi-final. It wasn’t easy—they had to grind out a 1-0 victory over Porto (2-1 aggregate) in a match that saw Porto go down to ten men early and rattle the woodwork twice in the dying minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White’s deflected strike was enough to send the City Ground into pure delirium.
3. S.C. Braga (Portugal)
Portugal’s representative in the final four proved they have the stomach for a fight. In a high-scoring thriller against Real Betis, Braga displayed incredible clinical edge to secure a 4-2 win in Spain (5-3 on aggregate). Known for their fearless attacking transitions, they’ve proven they can go anywhere in Europe and put teams to the sword.
4. SC Freiburg (Germany)
The Bundesliga side rounds out the quartet after a professional masterclass against Celta Vigo. Freiburg followed up their solid first-leg win with a 3-1 away victory (6-1 on aggregate), showing that they are arguably the most balanced side left in the competition. Their defensive structure and set-piece efficiency make them a nightmare for any opponent.
The Semi-Final Bracket
The first legs are scheduled for Thursday, April 30, with the high-stakes return legs on May 7.
