Dybala double sends Roma to Europa League last 16 as Fenerbahce, Alkmaar and Real Sociedad advance

Paulo Dybala struck twice in four minutes as Roma beat Porto 3-2 to reach the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.

Dybala returned from a knee injury sustained in the first-leg 1-1 draw a week ago in Portugal, and Roma advanced on a 4-3 aggregate score.

Porto went ahead thanks to Samu’s acrobatic volley over his shoulder to take a 2-1 aggregate lead but Dybala started the comeback with an equalizer in the 35th with a left-footed shot inside the far post. The second clinical finish came from inside the area to the near post.

Porto’s hopes were dented when Stephen Eustáquio was sent off after getting a red card only six minutes into the second half.

Substitute Niccolò Pisilli added the third before another substitute Devyne Rensch’s own goal in stoppage time.

Roma, the 2022 Conference League champion, will next play either Lazio or Bilbao.

The game between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was briefly suspended due to crowd trouble in Brussels. The problems took place shortly after Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Fenerbahce in the fourth minute. The Turkish team had won the first leg 3-0. After a 2-2 draw, Fenerbahce advanced 5-2 on aggregate.

The match had been suspended for "security issues,” UEFA said. Riot police were deployed in the stands and play resumed after some 15 minutes.

Alkmaar advanced after a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray that saw the Dutch club reach the next round on a 6-3 aggregate score.

Alkmaar got goals from Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius before Victor Osimhen struck for the Istanbul club. Roland Sallai’s equalizer salvaged at least a draw on the night for the hosts.

Alkmaar is set to face either Manchester United or Tottenham next.

Romanian team FCSB beat PAOK 2-0 to progress on a 4-1 aggregate score.

Norway’s Bodø/Glimt scored twice in extra time to beat Dutch side Twente 5-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. Three goals in stoppage time sent the match to extra time where goals from substitute Sondre Brunstad Fet (111th) and an own from Arno Verschueren (114th) confirmed the win. The Norwegian team is amid a winter break that will not end until the start of the domestic league on March 29.

Luka Sučić’s first-half double led Real Sociedad to a 5-2 victory over 10-man Midtjylland and to the round of 16 on a 7-3 aggregate score to next play either Tottenham or Manchester United.

Viktoria Plzen overcame a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to beat Ferencvaros 3-0.

Ajax’s 2-0 advantage against Saint-Gilloise was erased in the first half as the Dutch powerhouse was reduced to 10 with Davy Klaassen sent off. Substitute Kenneth Taylor converted a spot kick three minutes into extra time for Ajax to advance.

The eight winners of the playoffs will be unseeded teams in Friday’s draw and will host the first-leg games on March 6.

The top eight in the 36-team league standings — Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiacos and Rangers — had made straight the round of 16. They will host second legs on March 13.

In the third-tier Conference League, Real Betis was reduced to 10 men eight minutes before time and conceded a winning goal from Gent but still advanced thanks to its 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Molde was also down to 10 from the final minute but went on to prevail in a penalty shootout over Shamrock Rovers after winning 1-0 in Dublin.

Copenhagen edged European newcomer Heidenheim 3-1 in extra time to make the next round 4-3 on aggregate.

Pafos advanced after beating Omonoia an all-Cypriot matchup 2-1 following a 1-1 draw a week ago.

Bosnia’s Borac held Olimpija 0-0 in Ljubljana to advance 1-0 on aggregate.

Panathinaikos is into the next round with a 2-0 victory over Víkingur Reykjavík on 3-2 aggregate. Jagiellonia beat TSC 6-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 home win. Celje upset APOEL 2-0 at home and has advanced.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Plzen players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Ferencvaros at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Plzen players celebrate after the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Ferencvaros at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Ajax's goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, center, challenges for the ball with Union SG's Promise David during the Europa League play-off soccer match between Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Ajax's goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, left, challenges for the ball with Union SG's Promise David during the Europa League play-off soccer match between Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri, center, scores the opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Anderlecht's Thorgan Hazard, center, gestures toward the stands as play is disrupted during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho, left, during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Players leave the pitch after an incident with supporters during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Riot police are deployed after an incident with supporters during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Anderlecht's Luis Vazquez, center, celebrates with Anderlecht's Adryelson, right, after scoring his sides second goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Fenerbahce's Milan Skriniar, celebrates after Fenerbahce's Yusuf Akcicek scored his sides second goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at the RSC Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Copenhagen's Birger Meeling, left, and Heidenheim's Marvin Pieringer, right, challenge for the ball during a Conference League playoff match between FC Heidenheim 1846 and FC Copenhagen in Heidenheim, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Copenhagen's Kevin Diks, second right, scores his side's second goal during a Conference League playoff match between FC Heidenheim 1846 and FC Copenhagen in Heidenheim, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Betis' Antony applauds during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Gent's Archie Brown celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Betis' Vitor Roque walks past the referee after receiving a red card during the Conference League playoff second leg soccer match between Betis and Gent at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Bodø/Glimt's Kasper Høgh scores a penalty, his side's first goal during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Twente's goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall makes a save during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Twente's players react after missing a chance during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

PAOK's Dimitrios Pelkas holds his leg after an injury during the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

FCSB's David Miculescu, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's second goalduring the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

PAOK's Baba Rahman, left, jumps for a header with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League playoff stage second leg soccer match between FCSB and PAOK at the National Arena stadium, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Twente's Michal Sadilek hits the post during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Twente's players celebrate after Bodø/Glimt's Fredrik Sjøvold scored an own goal during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Twente's goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall, centre, and Bodø/Glimt's Jostein Gundersen, centre right, challenge for the ball during the Europa League soccer match between FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Twente in Bodo, Norway, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala reacts during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Porto's Samu Omorodion, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, right, scores his side's opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between Roma and Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

RHO, Italy (AP) — No ice is colder and harder than speedskating ice. The precision it takes has meant that Olympic speedskaters have never competed for gold on a temporary indoor rink – until the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.

In the pursuit of maximum glide and minimum friction, Olympic officials brought on ice master Mark Messer, a veteran of six previous Olympic speedskating tracks and the ice technician in charge of the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Canada — one of the fastest tracks in the world with over 300 records.

Messer has been putting that experience to work one thin layer of ice at a time since the end of October at the new Speed Skating Stadium, built inside adjacent trade fair halls in the city of Rho just north of Milan.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve had in icemaking,’’ Messer said during an interview less than two weeks into the process.

If Goldilocks were a speedskater, hockey ice would be medium hard, for fast puck movement and sharp turns. Figure skating ice would be softer, allowing push off for jumps and so the ice doesn’t shatter on landing. Curling ice is the softest and warmest of all, for controlled sliding.

For speedskating ice to be just right, it must be hard, cold and clean. And very, very smooth.

“The blades are so sharp, that if there is some dirt, the blade will lose the edge,’’ Messer said, and the skater will lose speed.

Speedskater Enrico Fabris, who won two Olympic golds in Turin in 2006, has traded in his skates to be deputy sports manager at the speedskating venue in Rho. For him, perfect ice means the conditions are the same for all skaters — and then if it's fast ice, so much the better.

"It's more of a pleasure to skate on this ice,'' he said.

Messer’s first Olympics were in Calgary in 1988 — the first time speedskating was held indoors. “That gave us some advantages because we didn’t have to worry about the weather, wind blowing or rain,’’ he said. Now he is upping the challenge by becoming the first ice master to build a temporary rink for the Olympics.

Before Messer arrived in Italy, workers spent weeks setting up insulation to level the floor and then a network of pipes and rubber tubes that carry glycol — an antifreeze — that is brought down to minus 7 or minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 to 19.4 degrees Fahrenheit) to make the ice.

Water is run through a purification system — but it can’t be too pure, or the ice that forms will be too brittle. Just the right amount of impurities “holds the ice together,’’ Messer said.

The first layers of water are applied slowly, with a spray nozzle; after the ice reaches a few centimeters it is painted white — a full day’s work — and the stripes are added to make lanes.

“The first one takes about 45 minutes. And then as soon as it freezes, we go back and do it again, and again and again. So we do it hundreds of times,’’ Messer said.

As the ice gets thicker, and is more stable, workers apply subsequent layers of water with hoses. Messer attaches his hose to hockey sticks for easier spreading.

What must absolutely be avoided is dirt, dust or frost — all of which can cause friction for the skaters, slowing them down. The goal is that when the skaters push “they can go as far as possible with the least amount of effort,’’ Messer said.

The Zamboni ice resurfacing machine plays a key role in keeping the track clean, cutting off a layer and spraying water to make a new surface.

One challenge is gauging how quickly the water from the resurfacing machine freezes in the temporary rink.

Another is getting the ice to the right thickness so that the Zamboni, weighing in at six tons, doesn’t shift the insulation, rubber tubing or ice itself.

“When you drive that out, if there’s anything moving it will move. We don’t want that,’’ Messer said.

The rink got its first big test on Nov. 29-30 during a Junior World Cup event. In a permanent rink, test events are usually held a year before the Olympics, leaving more time for adjustments. “We have a very small window to learn,’’ Messer acknowledged.

Dutch speedskater Kayo Vos, who won the men’s neo-senior 1,000 meters, said the ice was a little soft — but Messer didn’t seem too concerned.

“We went very modest to start, now we can start to change the temperatures and try to make it faster and still maintain it as a safe ice,’’ he said.

Fine-tuning the air temperature and humidity and ice temperature must be done methodically — taking into account that there will be 6,000 spectators in the venue for each event. The next real test will be on Jan. 31, when the Olympians take to the ice for their first training session.

“Eighty percent of the work is done but the hardest part is the last 20 percent, where we have to try to find the values and the way of running the equipment so all the skaters get the same conditions and all the skaters get the best conditions,’’ Messer said.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Serpentines are set on the ice of the stadium where speed skating discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Rho, outskirt of Milan, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Ice Master Mark Messer poses in the stadium where speed skating discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Rho, outskirt of Milan, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Workers clean the ice surface during a peed skating Junior World Cup and Olympic test event, in Rho, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Ice Master Mark Messer poses in the stadium where speed skating discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Rho, outskirt of Milan, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Ice Master Mark Messer poses in the stadium where speed skating discipline of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place, in Rho, outskirt of Milan, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)