Rayo Vallecano vs Samsunspor

Rayo Vallecano suffered a 0-1 defeat at the Estadio de Vallecas but safely booked their place in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals, advancing 3-2 on aggregate against Samsunspor. Cherif Ndiaye gave the Turkish visitors hope with a clinical 65th-minute finish, briefly raising the temperature inside a nervy Vallecas. It was a deserved reward for a Samsunspor side that showed far more fight than they did in the first leg, where Rayo had cruised to a commanding 3-1 away win. The hosts looked rattled after the goal but managed the closing stages well, seeing out the tie without any real late scares. Tempers flared in the final minutes, with yellow cards flying for Rick Van Drongelen, Sergio Camello, and Emre Kilinc in quick succession. Rayo march into the last eight despite a below-par home display, while Samsunspor bow out of Europe with their heads held high after a memorable maiden continental campaign.