European competitions: Lookman, Tella, Boniface, Kayode, Onyedika, Iroegbunam advance to semifinals 

Allnigeriasoccer.com's round-up of the European matches involving Nigeria-eligible players on Thursday, April 18.

We begin with the Europa League. At the London Stadium, Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run in the 2023-2024 season to 44 in all competitions after a 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

Arsenal old boy Nathan Tella played the entirety of the first half, fit-again striker Victor Boniface came off the bench at halftime, while 16-year-old forward Ken Izekor was a non-playing substitute for the Germans. 

Michael Antonio opened the scoring for the Hammers in the 13th minute, but Jeremie Frimpong equalized in the 89th minute.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Boniface had a chance to score the winner for the German champions but blasted his effort over the bar. 

Joining Bayer leverkusen in the last four is Atalanta, who caused an upset by beating Premier League giants Liverpool 3-1 over two legs. 

With eleven minutes left on the clock, Ademola Lookman came off the bench to replace Miranchuk for his eighth appearance in this season's Europa League. 

The Super Eagles star, who had accumulated two yellow cards before facing the Reds, is now cleared to participate in the semifinal clash against Marseille as his disciplinary slate is now clean following the match against Liverpool where he avoided receiving a third yellow card.

Liverpool started brightly and broke the deadlock through Egypt winger Mohamed Salah in the seventh minute  However, no additional goals were second in the second leg tie at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Samuel Chukwueze played the entirety of the second half as AS Roma defeated AC Milan 2-1 at Olimpico di Roma.

The Giallorossi were in a comfortable lead going into halftime thanks to goals from Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala, before Matteo Gabbia scored a consolation in the 85th minute.

Tim Iroegbunam's Aston Villa, Michael Kayode's Fiorentina and Raphael Onyedika's Club Brugge have advanced to the semifinals of the Europa Conference League.

At Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor KompleksiIstanbul, Bright Osayi-Samuel played the entirety of the game as Fenerbahce were beaten on penalties by Olympiakos after regulation and extra time ended 3-3 over two legs.

İrfan Can Kahveci drew Fenerbahce level on aggregate with a shot inside the near post from just inside the penalty area in the 11th minute. 

In the shootout, Olympiakos goalkeeper Tzolakis made a hat-trick of saves to send the Greek club through to the last four where they will face Aston Villa. 

At the Toumba Stadium, a first half double from Ferran Jutglà earned Club Brugge a 2-0 win over PAOK and a place in the semifinals.

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika started and was in action for ninety minutes for the Belgian side. 

Aston Villa progressed to the last four following a dramatic win on penalties against LOSC Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

The visitors fell behind on aggregate as Benjamin André's second-half header coupled with Yusuf Yazici's first-half opener made it 2-0.

With three minutes remaining, Matty Cash hammered the ball into the net to send the game to extra-time. 

2022 World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez won the game for the Premier League club when he denied Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin André in the shootout.

England youth international Tim Iroegbunam was picked in the matchday squad by Unai Emery but was a non-playing substitute. 

At Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Fiorentina needed extra time to see of a stubborn FC Viktoria Plzen side, with Italy U21 international Michael Kayode watching the action unfold from the bench, 

Nicolás González blasted the ball into the net through a crowded penalty area to open the scoring in the second minute of first half stoppage time before Cristiano Biraghi doubled the advantage in the 108th minute.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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