UEL: Marseille through after pens; Liverpool crash out; Leverkusen advance | OneFootball

The Europa League quarter-final second-legs are upon us and there were some tasty ties. Here is what went down around Europe.

Atalanta send Liverpool crashing out

Scorers: Salah (P) 5′

Liverpool could not capitalise on a quick start and saw their Europe League journey come to an end after a thumping in the first-leg.

It was exactly the start Liverpool were looking for as an early penalty allowed Mo Salah to step up and slot home the opener to cut Atalanta’s lead to two in the tie.

The early strike was just what Jürgen Klopp’s men needed, as they pushed the tempo in search of another.

Salah got in behind the Atalanta defence in the final 10 minutes of the half, but somehow the Egyptian sent his chip yards wide.

The hosts grew into the game after the break however, creating a flurry of chances of their own to put a dent in Liverpool’s comeback hopes.

Liverpool appeared to lose steam, and Atalanta, quite easily, held on to their lead and pulled off the upset.

Marseille down Benfica after penalties

Scorers: Moumbagna 81′

Marseille were on the front foot from the off, dominating the ball and pinning their visitors into their own half.

That possession did not do much for the hosts however, as they struggled to find any meaningful openings in the Benfica rearguard.

Marseille nearly found the leveller they so desired when the Benfica keeper spilled the ball on a corner, but a long-range shot towards the empty goal was deflected wide.

The visitors fashioned an opening at the other as well, but a superb double-save from Pau López kept his side in the tie.

The pressure would finally tell when Faris Moumbagna struck for the home side to pull level on aggregate, leaving themselves plenty of time to find a winner.

It was a cagey extra-time session, despite both sides fashioning a few chances to find a late winner. Penalties seemed be coming as neither side was all-too keen on taking any risks.

In penalties, the drama continued as Ángel Di María hit the post with his first effort. That miss would go on to kill the hopes of the Portuguese giants as Marseille took their chances, and booked their spot in the next round.

Roma send Serie A rivals out

Scorers: Mancini 12′, Dybala 22′ ; Gabbia 85′

Two early goals saw Roma hold on and book their spot in the semi-finals.

Physicality reigned supreme in the early moments, as both sides spoke with their tackles to set the tone in the opening minutes.

The opening was found before the 15 minute mark however. Gianluca Mancini continued his red-hot form, tapping home from close-range after an initial shot went off the post.

It went from good to great for the home side when Paulo Dybala lashed in a curler from outside of the box to double Roma’s lead on the night.

The tie took a potential turn shortly after however, as Roma full-back Mehmet Zeki Çelik was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Rafael Leão, forcing the hosts to play the remainder of the tie with 10 men.

Milan pulled one back in the dying minutes, but needing two more in the tie meant that Matteo Gabbia’s header was merely consolation.

Leverkusen advance and preserve unbeaten streak

Scorers: Antonio 14′ ; Frimpong 89′

Both sides snatched periods of possession in the early going, but the aggregate scoreline meant the Hammers would have to be more aggressive with the ball at their feet.

Their aggression paid off when Michail Antonio rose above the Leverkusen defence to head home a cross and snatch a lead for West Ham on the night, reducing their aggregate deficit to just one.

David Moyes’ side remained a threat on the break as the second-half wore on, but Leverkusen continued to cling to their slender advantage.

Jeremie Frimpong had the chance to end the tie in the final 10 minutes after dashing in behind the West Ham defence, but the wing-back somehow sent his effort high and wide with only the keeper to beat.

Only moments later however, Leverkusen and Frimpong found their goal to all but end the tie and preserve their unbeaten streak.