Union Berlin Defeats Ajax 3–1 to Reach Europa League Round of 16

1. FC Union Berlin booked a place in the Europa League Round of 16 with a commanding 3–1 home win over Ajax Amsterdam. The night's outstanding player was Croatian defender Josip Juranovic, who scored his first goal for the club to make it 2:0, won a penalty by delivering the corner that led to a hand-ball call, and directly set up the third goal. Danilho Doekhi was equally influential: his physical play in the penalty area earned Union the spot-kick that led to the 1:0, and he then powered home a header from a corner to complete the 3:1. Robin Knoche converted the penalty for the opening goal — his third successful spot-kick of the Europa League season. Ajax replied once shortly after half-time, but a disciplined Union defensive effort, led by captain Rani Khedira and an energetic Aissa Laidouni, kept the Dutch side from threatening further. Striker Sheraldo Becker spurned three chances to seal the match, twice denied by Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and once shooting over. Union will now wait to learn their Round of 16 opponents.