Forest clinch spot in Europa League last 16 as Celtic go out

Nottingham Forest managed to secure their advancement to the Europa League knockout stage despite a late surge from Fenerbahce, clinching a 4-2 overall victory even after dropping the return fixture on Thursday, whereas Celtic were eliminated following a narrow defeat to Stuttgart.

The English club entered the match with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the initial encounter in Turkey, yet Kerem Akturkoglu revived hopes for Fenerbahce by netting in both halves, including a penalty kick following a challenge by Jair Cunha.

Callum Hudson-Odoi calmed the mounting tension at the City Ground by restoring Forests lead in the 68th minute, allowing the Premier League outfit to progress to Fridays draw for the subsequent phases in spite of the 2-1 reverse at home.

"We certainly complicated matters for ourselves," Hudson-Odoi shared with TNT Sports.

"At times leading feels secure, yet we responded brilliantly after their second strike. The key outcome is our qualification."

Currently battling to avoid relegation in the top division with Vitor Pereira at the helm, Forest are slated to encounter either Real Betis or Danish team Midtjylland in the round of 16.

Celtic departed the European competition after a 4-2 aggregate loss to Stuttgart, though they claimed a 1-0 success in the away return leg of their playoff confrontation.

Following a 4-1 setback in Glasgow the previous week that created a three goal chasm, Martin ONeills team opened strongly with Luke McCowan scoring within the first minute.

However, Celtic failed to build on that and accepted the small comfort of their inaugural triumph on German soil.

This elimination keeps the Scottish title holders in pursuit of their first European playoff success since 2004, amid growing challenges to their league dominance from Hearts this campaign.

"The opening match slipped from our grasp with some avoidable concessions, but this evenings effort was a resolute defensive display," ONeill remarked to TNT Sports.

"We generated opportunities and nearly unsettled a strong opponent, one I believe can claim this tournament."

Stuttgart proceed to the last 16 to meet Porto or Braga next. Aston Villa anticipate a matchup with Celta Vigo or Lille, the latter who overcame Red Star Belgrade 2-1 following additional time in Serbia.

Ex France forward Olivier Giroud equalised the aggregate early in Belgrade after Lille fell 1-0 in their home first leg last week. Nathan Ngoy delivered the decisive blow during extra time. Should Lille bypass Villa, they face a domestic Ligue 1 derby against Lyon.

Panathinaikos advanced over Viktoria Plzen via a shootout after tying 3-3 overall, as Ferencvaros overturned their initial disadvantage to defeat Bulgarian side Ludogorets.

Bologna dispatched Norwegian side Brann, while Genk netted twice in extra time to prevail 6-4 aggregate versus Dinamo Zagreb following a 3-3 stalemate in Belgium.