The race for the Golden Boot in the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League campaign has tightened after the quarter-final second legs, with Igor Jesus and Petar Stanić setting the pace on seven goals each.
Jesus has been central to Nottingham Forest’s impressive European run, while Stanić’s finishing has driven Ludogorets Razgrad deep into the competition. Their goalscoring exploits now headline the build-up to the semi-finals later this month.
Thursday’s decisive fixtures reshaped the tournament standings. Aston Villa booked their place in the last four by knocking out Bologna, while Forest defeated FC Porto 1-0 in England to seal progression. Elsewhere, SC Braga ended the hopes of Real Betis and SC Freiburg saw off Celta Vigo.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the semi-final line-up now pits Aston Villa against Nottingham Forest in an all-English showdown, while Braga meet Freiburg. The first leg of the semi-finals is scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. on April 30.
Behind the leading duo, the chasing pack remains within touching distance. Antony of Betis and Kerem Aktürkoğlu of Fenerbahçe sit on six goals each.
A group of players on five goals include Dion Beljo of Dinamo Zagreb, Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna, Williot Swedberg of Celta Vigo and Bilal El Khannouss of VfB Stuttgart.
