Porto and Braga Await Europa League Draw: Stuttgart and Ludogorets Lead Playoff Ties

FC Porto and Sporting de Braga are awaiting the conclusion of this week's Europa League playoff round with keen interest, as the results will directly shape their path through the Round of 16. Both Portuguese clubs earned automatic qualification by finishing in the top eight of the group phase — Porto in 5th, Braga in 6th — granting them a valuable bye while lower-ranked sides battled through knockout playoffs. Now, with the first legs complete, a clearer picture is emerging of who they might face next.

Why This Matters

• Porto and Braga bypass playoff drama: Their top-eight finishes mean they avoid the two-legged playoff gauntlet entirely, entering fresh in the Round of 16.

• Potential opponents taking shape: Stuttgart and Ludogorets hold commanding first-leg advantages and are favorites to advance, setting up possible matchups with the Portuguese duo.

• Draw scheduled for February 27: The official Round of 16 pairings will be determined just days from now, with matches following shortly after.

• Home advantage matters: Both Portuguese sides will watch closely as away goals and aggregate scores decide who survives this playoff stage.

Stuttgart Demolishes Celtic in Glasgow

The most eye-catching result of the playoff round came at Celtic Park, where Germany's VfB Stuttgart delivered a ruthless 4-1 dismantling of the Scottish hosts. The defeat leaves Celtic facing an almost insurmountable task in the return leg, while Stuttgart strides confidently toward a Round of 16 berth — and a potential clash with either Porto or Braga.

Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss was the architect of Celtic's misery, scoring twice in the opening half-hour to seize control. The home side briefly responded through Swedish striker Benjamin Nygren in the 21st minute, but the relief was short-lived. El Khannouss restored the two-goal cushion seven minutes later, and Jamie Leweling added a third early in the second half, effectively killing the tie.

Former Sporting CP forward Tiago Tomás, who came off the bench in the 78th minute, added a fourth in stoppage time, capping a disastrous evening for the Glaswegians. Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo started for Celtic but could do little to stem the tide, while goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel faced criticism from the home crowd for his role in several of the goals.

Stuttgart's dominance was reflected not only in the scoreline but in their clinical finishing and tactical discipline. The German side, sitting 4th in the Bundesliga with 42 points from 22 matches, boasts a potent attack led by Deniz Undav (12 league goals) and Jamie Leweling (6 assists). Their form and confidence make them a daunting prospect for any Round of 16 opponent.

Ludogorets Edges Ferencváros in Bulgaria

Over in Razgrad, Bulgaria, Ludogorets claimed a narrow but crucial 2-1 victory over Hungary's Ferencváros at the Huvepharma Arena. The result hands the Bulgarian champions a slender advantage heading into the second leg, and like Stuttgart, they are now favorites to advance and potentially meet one of the Portuguese giants.

Portuguese defender Dinis Almeida was in the starting XI for Ludogorets, anchoring a backline that held firm after taking an early lead. Swiss forward Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring in the 24th minute, only for Nigerian striker Dele to level the contest three minutes later. The decisive goal came in the 67th minute when Spanish midfielder Son fired home, securing a vital win. A late effort from Caio Vidal was ruled out for offside in the dying moments.

Ferencváros, despite playing away from home, will feel the tie remains within reach. A one-goal deficit is far from insurmountable, especially with the return leg scheduled for their Groupama Arena in Budapest. However, they will need to be wary of conceding an away goal, which would dramatically shift the aggregate balance. The Hungarian side, under coach Pascal Jansen, has proven resilient in European competition this season, though they will be without key players due to injury and illness.

What This Means for Portuguese Clubs

For FC Porto and Sporting de Braga, the strategic advantage of their direct qualification is now becoming tangible. While other contenders have been forced to navigate the physical and mental toll of two-legged playoff ties, the Portuguese pair have enjoyed a critical rest period. This extra recovery time could prove decisive as the tournament intensifies.

The Round of 16 draw on February 27 will determine whether Porto or Braga face Stuttgart, Ludogorets, or another playoff survivor. Based on the Europa League's knockout bracket structure, both Portuguese clubs are positioned to meet one of these advancing sides. Stuttgart, with their emphatic performance in Glasgow, would represent a formidable challenge — a team in excellent domestic form with a deep, balanced squad. Ludogorets, while less heralded, possess home-field grit and tactical discipline that has frustrated stronger opponents before.

The scheduling also favors Porto and Braga. With the second legs of the playoffs set for February 26, there is minimal turnaround before the Round of 16 fixtures begin in early March. Teams that survive grueling playoff contests may arrive fatigued or carrying injuries, whereas the Portuguese sides enter fresh and fully focused.

Other Portuguese Performances in Europa League Action

Elsewhere across the playoff round, several other Portuguese players featured prominently, offering a snapshot of the diaspora's impact on the competition.

At Stade Pierre-Mauroy in France, Lille fell 1-0 to Serbia's Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade), with Portuguese winger Félix Correia starting for the French side. Former Vitória SC midfielder Tomás Handel was in the Red Star XI and played a key role in the visitors' disciplined performance. The lone goal came deep into first-half stoppage time, when Franklin Tebo Uchenna capitalized on a pass from Jay Enem. Portuguese defender Tiago Santos entered at halftime for Lille but could not inspire a comeback. The result leaves Lille with a steep climb in the return leg.

In Athens, Panathinaikos salvaged a 2-2 draw against Czech side Viktoria Plzeň, with Renato Sanches starting in midfield for the Greek giants. The match was an open, back-and-forth affair. Plzeň took an early lead through Denis Visinsky in the 11th minute, but Andrews Tetteh equalized in the 31st. Tetteh struck again in the 61st minute to give Panathinaikos their first lead, only for Tomas Ladra to equalize in the 80th. The result leaves the tie finely balanced heading into the second leg.

Nottingham Forest Stuns Fenerbahçe in Istanbul

In a separate development, Nottingham Forest announced their return to European competition in emphatic fashion, crushing Fenerbahçe 3-0 in Istanbul. The result marked the debut of Portuguese manager Vítor Pereira in the Forest dugout, and the victory provides a commanding cushion for the second leg in England. The comprehensive win demonstrated Forest's tactical sharpness and suggests they could pose a threat to any opponent in the later rounds.

Tactical and Mental Realities Heading Into Second Legs

The disparity in first-leg outcomes has created vastly different psychological landscapes for the teams involved. Celtic, down 4-1, face a near-impossible recovery mission. They would need to score at least four goals without reply in Stuttgart — or win by a three-goal margin to force extra time — a scenario that borders on fantasy given the German side's defensive solidity and home advantage. The heavy defeat at Celtic Park has likely damaged morale, and the loss of midfielder Arne Engels to injury further weakens their chances.

Ferencváros, by contrast, remain very much in contention. Trailing 2-1, they need only a single-goal victory at home to force extra time, or a two-goal margin to advance outright. The psychological burden is far lighter, and the Hungarian club has the tools and experience to mount a serious challenge in front of their home supporters.

For the neutral observer — and for the strategists at FC Porto and Sporting de Braga — these dynamics are instructive. Stuttgart's clinical efficiency and Ludogorets' defensive discipline offer clues about the challenges that may lie ahead. Both Portuguese clubs will be studying these performances closely, preparing tactical blueprints and scouting reports for whichever opponent emerges from the playoff crucible.

What Comes Next

The second legs are scheduled for February 26, with all eyes on whether Celtic can conjure a miraculous comeback or if Stuttgart will cruise into the Round of 16. Similarly, the Budapest showdown between Ferencváros and Ludogorets promises tension and drama, with a spot in the next round — and a likely meeting with Porto or Braga — hanging in the balance.

One day later, on February 27, the draw will take place, finalizing the bracket and setting the stage for the tournament's decisive phase. For supporters of FC Porto and Sporting de Braga, that draw represents the moment when months of hard work and tactical planning crystallize into a concrete path — and a concrete opponent. Whether it's the attacking firepower of Stuttgart, the dogged resilience of Ludogorets, or an unexpected dark horse from another playoff tie, the Portuguese clubs will need to be ready.

Both Porto and Braga have deep European pedigrees and domestic squads capable of competing at this level. Their direct entry into the Round of 16 was earned through consistent group-stage performances, and now the tournament's serious business begins. The margin for error narrows, the stakes rise, and every tactical decision — every substitution, every set piece — takes on heightened significance.

As the playoff dust settles and the knockout bracket takes shape, one thing is clear: the path to the Europa League trophy runs through some of Europe's most dangerous and determined clubs. And for Porto and Braga, the wait is almost over.