Europa League qualifying: Hacken win the penalties, Midtjylland‘s late drama

The second legs of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round were on Thursday, as eight more teams took another step towards making the competition's league phase.

Unlike the first legs, where several matches ended drawn, there was a winner in each clash. There was an upset on the night in Sweden, as BK Hacken managed to pull off a comeback against Anderlecht. Adrian Svanback gave his side the lead after 33 minutes, levelling the score on aggregate.

Nine minutes after the restart, however, the Swedes were in trouble again. A penalty awarded to the visitors was converted by Kasper Dolberg. Still, the home side continued to fight until the end. That saw them receive a penalty in the 92nd minute, which was dispatched by Simon Gustafson.

With the tie nodded up at 2-2, extra time was required. Ibrahim Konate's red card saw Anderlecht be reduced to 10 men in the second 15-minute period. A penalty shootout was the ultimate outcome, where Lustig Augustinsson and Luis Vazquez failed to convert their shots for the Belgians. Etrit Berisha, who saved Vazquez's effort, then stepped up to score his spot kick and send his team through.

It was the first time ever that Anderlecht were eliminated in Europa League qualifiers.

Elsewhere, Shakhtar Donetsk continued their incredible record versus Turkish teams with a 2-0 defeat of Besiktas. A pair of first half goals were enough for The Pitmen to advance 6-2 on aggregate. They now have a 9-1-0 record versus Super Lig clubs, with eight clean sheets.

Extra time was also required in Romania and Portgual, with one goal deciding both ties. CFR Cluj found their winner in the 96th minute through Sheriff Sinyan to get the better of Lugano. As for Sporting Braga, it took them eight minutes longer to find their breakthrough as they edged Levski Sofia at home. 

The other tie that could not end up with a winner in normal time came in Scotland, as Hibernian and Midtjylland went to an extra 30 minutes. It took Dario Osorio less than five minutes into the first period to put the visitors in front. However, Hibs responded through Rocky Bushiri just as opening half concluded.

In the end, the Danes came out on top. It did take a moment of brilliance to find their winner, as Junior Brumado scored a bicycle kick in the 119th minute to end the tie. It was heartbreak for the Scottish side, who drop to the Conference League.

Utrecht finished off Sheriff Tiraspol with a convincing 4-1 home win. Four different players managed to score for the Dutch team as they prevailed 7-2 on aggregate.

Legia Warsaw held on at the end to defeat Banik Ostrava 2-1 on the night and 4-3 overall. The Czechs had a massive chance to force extra time at the death. Unfortunately for them, David Buchta's penalty hit the post and stayed out, denying them in the cruelest of ways.

As for AEK Laranca, goals in each half were enough for them to pip Slovenian club Celje 2-1 in Cyprus. That saw them move on 3-2 across the two legs.

The third qualifying round will occur each of the next two Thursdays. The eight winners are joined by the 15 losing sides from the Champions League second qualifying round, alongside three direct entrants: Wolfsberger, Fredrikstad, and PAOK. 

Although they will not continue in the UEL, the eight losing teams from this completed round will enter the Conference League at the penultimate round of qualification. There are no more second chances though - as defeat there will see their European journey come to an end.