Europa League: Fradi to face Viktoria Plzen in play-off after edging past AZ

Ferencváros confirmed their spot amongst the Europa League's top 24 teams after an eight-match league phase by defeating AZ in the Groupama Aréna in Budapest on Thursday, but they had to battle all the way to the final whistle having nearly relinquished a commanding three-goal lead with just a few minutes remaining.

Tunisian Mohammed Ali Ben Romdan scored twice and Adama Traoré once in a sparkling first-half performance which handed Fradi a seemingly unassailable 3-0 advantage. Even when AZ pulled a 76-minute goal back through Mijnans, Fradi striker Barnabás Varga restored the three-goal cushion from the penalty spot soon after, but Troy Parrott reduced the deficit to two in the 91st minute and Mijnans scored again in the 95th minute to put the Dutch club in sight of an unlikely draw. 

Fradi held out for the win though, which was enough for 17th spot in the 36-team table and a unseeded place in Friday's play-off draw in Nyon, Switzerland, in which they were drawn to face Viktoria Plzen. The first leg of the tie will take place in Budapest on 13 February before the away leg in Czechia a week later, the winners destined to face either Lazio or Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16, both clubs having finished in the group of the top eight teams in the league phase, who automatically progress to the last round before the quarter-finals.

UEFA Europa League, league phase, 8th round

Ferencvárosi TC 4–3 AZ Alkmaar (NED) (HT: 3–0)

Goalscorers: FTC: Ben Romdan (9, 45), A. Traoré (34), Varga B. (82 pen), AZ: Mijnans (76, 90+5), T. Parrott (90)