PARIS, France, October 22, 2026: Marseille’s Europa League campaign descended into a deeper crisis on Thursday as Sturm Graz condemned the French club to a third consecutive defeat, while Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencváros maintained their perfect records with commanding victories. Juventus needed a second-half Nick Woltemade penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw against Rennes, and NEC Nijmegen produced one of the biggest surprises of the early fixtures by defeating Dinamo Zagreb 4-2 away from home.
Eight early UEFA Europa League Matchday 3 matches produced 28 goals, including four victories in which the winning side scored four times. Leverkusen defeated OFI Crete 2-0 through Jonas Hofmann’s first-half double, Ferencváros overwhelmed Torreense 4-1, Union Saint-Gilloise beat Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0, and AZ Alkmaar dismantled Ararat-Armenia by the same margin. Meanwhile, Sunderland surrendered a second-minute lead to draw 1-1 with Lech Poznań, leaving the English side unbeaten but denying it a third consecutive victory.
UEFA Europa League Results, October 22, 2026: All Eight Early Matches
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Main Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lech Poznań | 1-1 | Sunderland | Lech earn first point; Sunderland remain unbeaten |
| OFI Crete | 0-2 | Bayer Leverkusen | Hofmann scores twice; Leverkusen stay perfect |
| Ferencváros | 4-1 | Torreense | Hungarian champions move to nine points |
| Sturm Graz | 1-0 | Marseille | Marseille suffer third consecutive Europa League defeat |
| Dinamo Zagreb | 2-4 | NEC Nijmegen | Linssen double inspires Dutch comeback |
| Union Saint-Gilloise | 4-0 | Hapoel Beer-Sheva | Belgian side record emphatic second league-phase victory |
| Ararat-Armenia | 0-4 | AZ Alkmaar | Patati scores twice in emphatic away victory |
| Juventus | 2-2 | Rennes | Woltemade penalty rescues point after French comeback |
Matchday 3 statistical snapshot: The eight games produced six victories and two draws. Home and away clubs scored 14 goals each, with four clean sheets and an average of 3.5 goals per game.
The results represent the eight fixtures beginning at 18:45 Central European Time. They do not include the ten later Europa League matches scheduled on Thursday evening.
UEFA’s official 2026/27 Europa League fixtures and results provide the wider competition schedule and earlier results against which Thursday’s developments can be assessed.
Marseille Lose Their Third Straight Match as Sturm Graz Find a Way to Win
Olympique de Marseille entered Thursday’s visit to Austria already under considerable pressure.
The French club had lost its opening Europa League match 4-1 against Beşiktaş and followed that setback with a 1-0 home defeat to Olympiacos.
A trip to Sturm Graz offered an opportunity to end the losing sequence against a side that had taken just one point from its first two fixtures.
Instead, Marseille fell behind after only 13 minutes.
Oumar Diakité punished a defensive mistake, converting after Luca Weinhandl capitalized on a poor Marseille buildup sequence.
The early goal exposed a familiar weakness.
Marseille had made changes to their starting lineup, but those adjustments failed to prevent another error at a decisive moment.
The visitors attempted to recover and enjoyed spells of possession, yet Sturm retained their advantage.
Marseille had moments when an equalizer appeared possible. However, the hosts also created opportunities to increase their lead.
Neither side scored again.
Sturm recorded their first victory of the league phase, while Marseille left Austria with zero points from three matches.
The defeat means Marseille have scored only once and conceded six goals across their opening three fixtures.
Marseille’s European Campaign: Three Matches, Three Defeats
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beşiktaş, away | Lost 1-4 | 0 |
| 2 | Olympiacos, home | Lost 0-1 | 0 |
| 3 | Sturm Graz, away | Lost 0-1 | 0 |
| Total | 3 matches | 1 goal scored, 6 conceded | 0 |
The contrast with Marseille’s domestic performances is noteworthy.
Days before facing Sturm, Marseille defeated Angers 5-2 in Ligue 1. The side therefore arrived in Austria having recently demonstrated substantial attacking capability.
But their European results tell a different story.
Marseille have struggled to translate that domestic attacking form into goals against European opponents and have repeatedly been punished for defensive errors.
The Sports Encounter’s analysis of Marseille’s 4-1 opening defeat against Beşiktaş examined how the French side recovered briefly before conceding further goals in quick succession.
That early warning now looks increasingly significant.
The next league-phase fixture brings a visit to Bayer Leverkusen on November 5, an opponent that has won all three matches without conceding a goal.
Marseille’s immediate challenge is therefore becoming more difficult rather than easier.
Jonas Hofmann’s Three-Minute Double Keeps Bayer Leverkusen Perfect
Leverkusen continued their outstanding start with a professional 2-0 victory against OFI Crete in Greece.
Jonas Hofmann provided both goals in a devastating first-half sequence.
He opened the scoring in the 35th minute and doubled the advantage three minutes later, benefiting from an attacking move involving Malik Tillman.
Those goals changed the match before the interval.
OFI had started with the intention of restricting space and frustrating the German side, but Hofmann’s finishing gave Leverkusen a cushion that the home side could not overcome.
Leverkusen controlled substantial periods of the contest and successfully protected their two-goal advantage.
The result was particularly valuable because Hofmann had returned to the European squad following an injury to Martin Terrier.
His immediate impact reinforced the value of squad depth in a competition where domestic commitments and European fixtures arrive in quick succession.
Leverkusen have now defeated Celje 2-0, Lech Poznań 4-0 and OFI Crete 2-0.
Three wins, eight goals scored and none conceded provide a powerful early argument for the club’s credentials.
OFI’s defeat also carries context.
The Greek side had opened the competition by beating Hoffenheim 2-0, a result that demonstrated its ability to challenge Bundesliga opposition.
That earlier breakthrough was covered in The Sports Encounter’s report on OFI Crete’s victory over Hoffenheim.
Leverkusen’s ability to win without conceding therefore deserves more recognition than the scoreline alone might suggest.
Ferencváros Score Four Against Torreense to Join the Nine-Point Clubs
Ferencváros joined Leverkusen on nine points by defeating Portuguese visitors Torreense 4-1 in Budapest.
Bamidele Yusuf put the Hungarian side ahead in the 20th minute, only for Manuel Pozo to equalize three minutes later.
At 1-1, the match remained competitive.
But Ferencváros gradually established greater control and regained the lead through Mariano Gómez in the 58th minute.
A Mohamed Diadié own goal in the 80th minute extended the advantage, and Krisztián Lisztes completed the scoring near the end.
The victory maintained Ferencváros’ perfect start.
The Hungarian champions had previously defeated Celtic 3-1 away and Viktoria Plzeň 2-1 at home.
They now have nine goals from three matches, having scored at least twice in every outing.
More importantly, they have shown an ability to win in different circumstances.
Against Celtic, they punished defensive weaknesses on the road. Against Viktoria Plzeň, they secured a tighter victory. Against Torreense, they recovered from an early equalizer before overwhelming their opponents.
The Sports Encounter previously examined the significance of the Hungarian side’s opening win in Celtic Lose Key Moments as Ferencváros Punish Defensive Errors.
The latest result strengthens the argument that Ferencváros are capable of competing for a direct place in the round of 16.
Their next challenge comes against AC Milan on November 5, when the strength of their perfect record will face another meaningful examination.
NEC Nijmegen Shock Dinamo Zagreb in Six-Goal Contest
NEC Nijmegen produced one of the early session’s most striking victories, defeating Dinamo Zagreb 4-2 in Croatia.
The Dutch side had entered the game without a league-phase victory after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Juventus and drawing 1-1 with Levski Sofia.
Dinamo, meanwhile, had collected four points without conceding a goal in their first two matches.
Those earlier results made NEC’s attacking display especially significant.
Clement Bischoff gave the visitors the lead in the 25th minute.
Dinamo responded strongly through Dion Drena Beljo, whose goals in the 33rd and 37th minutes overturned the deficit.
At 2-1, the Croatian side appeared to have seized control.
But NEC refused to retreat.
Bryan Linssen equalized near halftime and then struck again in the 54th minute, restoring the visitors’ advantage.
Tjaronn Chery added the fourth goal in the 80th minute, ending Dinamo’s hopes of another comeback.
The result represented a major turnaround in NEC’s European campaign.
After beginning with a five-goal defeat against Juventus, the Dutch club had now scored four in an away victory against an opponent that had previously kept two clean sheets.
Dinamo’s first defensive collapse of the league phase exposed a weakness that had not appeared in the earlier draw against Hapoel Beer-Sheva or the narrow victory over Anderlecht.
For perspective, The Sports Encounter’s report on Juventus’ 5-0 victory over NEC documents how comprehensively the Dutch team had been beaten in their opening fixture.
Thursday’s performance demonstrated the extent to which NEC had improved their attacking effectiveness, although defensive consistency remains an issue.
Union Saint-Gilloise Hit Four as Belgian Side Return to Winning Ways
Union Saint-Gilloise delivered another commanding performance by beating Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0.
Raul Florucz broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, giving the Belgian side an advantage to protect after the interval.
Guilherme Smith doubled the lead on the hour.
Dylan Aquino added a third in the 77th minute before Smith completed his brace four minutes later.
The victory was Union’s second win of the European league phase.
The Belgian club began with a 3-0 away victory against Viktoria Plzeň before drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad.
Thursday’s four-goal performance lifted Union to seven points, with eight goals scored and only one conceded across three matches.
That balance between attacking efficiency and defensive control is a significant early strength.
It is also worth recalling how strongly Union began the competition.
The Sports Encounter’s opening-matchday report covering Union, Crystal Palace and Torreense examined the Belgian team’s impressive start in Europe.
Union’s next Europa League fixture is away to Celta Vigo on November 5, a potentially important test of whether their impressive early form can be maintained against Spanish opposition.
Patati Double Helps AZ Alkmaar Dismantle Ararat-Armenia 4-0
AZ Alkmaar claimed their second consecutive victory with a comfortable 4-0 win at Ararat-Armenia.
Valdemar Byskov opened the scoring in the 21st minute.
Weslley Patati doubled the lead six minutes later, giving AZ a strong position before the half-hour mark.
Patati scored again in the 76th minute, and Mexx Meerdink completed the rout three minutes afterward.
The result followed AZ’s 2-1 win against Hapoel Beer-Sheva on Matchday 2.
After losing 1-0 to Sunderland in their opening game, the Dutch side have responded by collecting six points from their next two fixtures.
Patati’s two goals were especially influential, both extending the lead and preventing any possibility of a late Ararat revival.
For Ararat-Armenia, the result continued a difficult introduction to the league phase.
The Armenian club had previously lost 4-1 against Sparta Praha and 3-1 to Jagiellonia.
Three defeats, two goals scored and 11 conceded leave the side facing an increasingly demanding challenge across their remaining five matches.
AZ, meanwhile, will host Juventus on November 5, a fixture that will test whether this improving run can be sustained against a stronger opponent.
Juventus Need Woltemade Penalty to Rescue 2-2 Draw Against Rennes
Juventus dropped points for the first time in the league phase after drawing 2-2 with Rennes in Turin.
The Italian side had won their first two matches, defeating NEC Nijmegen 5-0 and Celta Vigo 2-1.
Zeki Çelik appeared to set up another victory when he scored in the fifth minute, assisted by Nick Woltemade.
But Rennes responded quickly.
Mousa Al-Tamari equalized in the 15th minute before Boulaye Dia converted a penalty shortly before halftime to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.
Juventus entered the second half needing to recover from behind.
Woltemade converted a penalty in the 67th minute, restoring parity and ensuring the hosts avoided defeat.
The result ended Juventus’ winning sequence but maintained their unbeaten European record.
Rennes also remain unbeaten, having drawn their opening match against Sturm Graz and defeated OFI Crete before visiting Turin.
The four-goal match demonstrated both teams’ resilience.
Juventus struck early but failed to defend the lead. Rennes overturned the deficit but could not protect their own advantage.
The result raises a tactical question for Juventus: can a side that has scored nine goals in three matches improve its defensive control when opponents respond aggressively?
The Sports Encounter’s Matchday 2 report on Juventus, Benfica and Beşiktaş examined the Italian side’s earlier victory against Celta Vigo.
Juventus now have seven points from three matches, while Rennes move to five.
Sunderland Surrender Early Advantage as Lech Poznań Earn First Point
Sunderland appeared set for another European victory when Tymur Tutierov scored after only two minutes against Lech Poznań.
The goal followed a defensive mistake by the Polish side, with Nilson Angulo exploiting confusion in Lech’s buildup before supplying the opportunity.
It was an ideal opening for Sunderland, who had already defeated AZ Alkmaar and Torreense.
However, the visitors failed to turn their advantage into a second goal.
Lech remained competitive and eventually equalized in the 70th minute.
Leo Bengtsson converted following a corner, bringing the home crowd back into the contest.
Both sides had opportunities during an open match, but the score remained 1-1.
The draw preserved Sunderland’s unbeaten record and took the English side to seven points.
Lech, meanwhile, collected their first point after two heavy defeats.
The Polish club had lost 4-0 to Crystal Palace and by the same score against Leverkusen.
Stopping Sunderland was therefore a meaningful improvement, particularly after Lech conceded within the opening two minutes.
Nevertheless, one point from three matches leaves the Polish side with substantial work ahead.
For Sunderland, the disappointment lies in failing to complete the victory after such a favorable start.
The Sports Encounter documented the club’s return to European competition after 53 years in Sunderland Return After 53 Years as Benfica Silence Milan.
Thursday’s draw showed both the progress Sunderland have made and the need to manage winning positions more effectively.
Every Goal From the Eight Early Europa League Matches
The eight fixtures included braces from Jonas Hofmann, Bryan Linssen, Guilherme Smith, Weslley Patati and Dion Drena Beljo.
They also featured two successful penalties in the Juventus-Rennes contest and an own goal in Ferencváros’ victory.
| Match | Goalscorers |
|---|---|
| Lech 1-1 Sunderland | Leo Bengtsson 70′; Tymur Tutierov 2′ |
| OFI 0-2 Leverkusen | Jonas Hofmann 35′, 38′ |
| Ferencváros 4-1 Torreense | Bamidele Yusuf 20′, Mariano Gómez 58′, Mohamed Diadié own goal 80′, Krisztián Lisztes 89′; Manuel Pozo 23′ |
| Sturm Graz 1-0 Marseille | Oumar Diakité 13′ |
| Dinamo Zagreb 2-4 NEC | Dion Drena Beljo 33′, 37′; Clement Bischoff 25′, Bryan Linssen 45′, 54′, Tjaronn Chery 80′ |
| Union SG 4-0 Hapoel Beer-Sheva | Raul Florucz 45+1′, Guilherme Smith 60′, 81′, Dylan Aquino 77′ |
| Ararat-Armenia 0-4 AZ Alkmaar | Valdemar Byskov 21′, Weslley Patati 27′, 76′, Mexx Meerdink 79′ |
| Juventus 2-2 Rennes | Zeki Çelik 5′, Nick Woltemade 67′ penalty; Mousa Al-Tamari 15′, Boulaye Dia 43′ penalty |
The goalscorer details show that the early fixtures were not dominated solely by established European stars.
Several younger or emerging players contributed directly to their teams’ results, while experienced attackers such as Hofmann provided decisive moments.
The strongest collective attacking performance may belong to NEC, who recovered from 2-1 down to win 4-2 away from home.
Leverkusen’s victory was less dramatic but more controlled, illustrating a different route to success.
Europa League Standings After Three Matches: What the Results Mean
The new Europa League format places all 36 clubs in a single league table, with eight matches scheduled for each participant.
The first three rounds therefore represent more than one-third of the league phase.
The standings are still developing, but several significant patterns have already emerged.
Leverkusen and Ferencváros have maximum points. Juventus, Sunderland and Union Saint-Gilloise remain unbeaten.
Marseille have no points, while Lech Poznań have only one.
Selected Teams: League-Phase Record After Matchday 3
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverkusen | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 9 |
| Ferencváros | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 |
| Union SG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 7 |
| Juventus | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 7 |
| Sunderland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 |
| AZ Alkmaar | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 6 |
| Rennes | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
| NEC Nijmegen | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 4 |
| Marseille | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
| Lech Poznań | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 1 |
TSE compilation from the three completed rounds for these ten clubs. This is a selected-team comparison, not the full 36-club table or an assertion of official ranking positions. Other Matchday 3 fixtures may affect overall placings.
Under UEFA’s official 2026/27 league-phase regulations, the top eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16.
Clubs finishing ninth to 24th enter the knockout-phase playoffs, while those in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated.
That structure increases the importance of early points and goal difference.
Leverkusen’s eight-goal advantage without conceding and Union’s strong defensive record could become useful if clubs finish level on points.
At the other end, Marseille’s repeated defeats are already reducing the margin for error available across their final five fixtures.
Matchday 3 by the Numbers: 28 Goals and an Even Home-Away Split
The eight early results created a remarkable statistical balance.
Home teams scored 14 goals, and away teams also scored 14.
Three home clubs won, three away clubs won, and two matches ended in draws.
Four matches produced clean sheets, while the remaining four saw both teams score.
Early Matchday 3 Statistical Breakdown
| Measure | Total |
|---|---|
| Completed matches | 8 |
| Total goals | 28 |
| Average goals per match | 3.50 |
| Home goals | 14 |
| Away goals | 14 |
| Home wins | 3 |
| Away wins | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Matches with clean sheets | 4 |
| Matches where both teams scored | 4 |
| Teams scoring at least four goals | 4 |
| Individual players scoring twice | 5 |
TSE calculations: 28 goals divided by eight matches equals 3.50 goals per match. Home-goal total: 1 + 0 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 0 + 2 = 14. Away-goal total: 1 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 4 + 2 = 14.
The numbers suggest a competitive round that did not favor home sides overall.
However, the equal home-away goal totals conceal very different stories.
Ferencváros and Union dominated at home, while Leverkusen, AZ and NEC produced convincing away victories.
Marseille, meanwhile, failed to score despite another opportunity to reverse their European fortunes.
The Sports Encounter’s Matchday 2 results and analysis covering Milan, Lyon, Sunderland and Leverkusen provides a direct comparison with the previous week’s performances.
What Should Clubs Watch Ahead of Europa League Matchday 4?
The next round is scheduled for November 5, and several fixtures connect directly with the developments of Thursday evening.
Marseille face Leverkusen, bringing together a team without a point and another that has won every match without conceding.
Juventus travel to AZ Alkmaar, whose recent victories demonstrate improving attacking confidence.
Ferencváros face AC Milan, a potentially important encounter between two clubs with substantial European ambitions.
Sunderland host Dinamo Zagreb, another side whose defensive reliability has just been seriously questioned.
Key Europa League Matchday 4 Fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| November 5 | Bayer Leverkusen vs Marseille | Perfect defensive record meets a winless French side |
| November 5 | AC Milan vs Ferencváros | Hungarian champions attempt fourth consecutive victory |
| November 5 | AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus | Improving Dutch hosts face unbeaten Italian visitors |
| November 5 | Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb | Sunderland seek another win; Dinamo respond to NEC defeat |
| November 5 | Celta Vigo vs Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgian club test their strong early record in Spain |
| November 5 | Benfica vs Lech Poznań | Polish side seek first victory against established opposition |
| November 5 | Sturm Graz vs Celje | Sturm aim to build on Marseille victory |
| November 5 | NEC Nijmegen vs Omonia | NEC seek to convert Dinamo breakthrough into momentum |
| November 5 | Rennes vs Olympiacos | French side seek to extend unbeaten start |
The fixtures follow UEFA’s published schedule, although kick-off arrangements remain subject to official updates.
The wider league phase continues until January 28, 2027, when all 36 teams will have played eight matches.
Europa League October 22, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
What Were the Europa League Matchday 3 Early Results?
Lech Poznań drew 1-1 with Sunderland; Leverkusen won 2-0 at OFI Crete; Ferencváros beat Torreense 4-1; Sturm Graz defeated Marseille 1-0; NEC Nijmegen won 4-2 at Dinamo Zagreb; Union Saint-Gilloise beat Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0; AZ Alkmaar won 4-0 at Ararat-Armenia; and Juventus drew 2-2 with Rennes.
How Many Goals Were Scored Across the Eight Early Games?
There were 28 goals, an average of 3.5 per match.
Why Did Marseille Lose to Sturm Graz?
Oumar Diakité scored in the 13th minute after a Marseille defensive error, and the French club failed to find an equalizer. Marseille have lost their first three Europa League matches.
Who Scored for Bayer Leverkusen Against OFI Crete?
Jonas Hofmann scored both goals, in the 35th and 38th minutes, as Leverkusen won 2-0.
Which Teams Have Nine Points After Three Matches?
Among the eight early-match teams, Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencváros have collected nine points from three victories. The full 36-team table also includes clubs playing later fixtures.
What Was the Juventus vs Rennes Result?
The match ended 2-2. Zeki Çelik and Nick Woltemade scored for Juventus, while Mousa Al-Tamari and Boulaye Dia scored for Rennes.
Who Scored Twice for NEC Against Dinamo Zagreb?
Bryan Linssen scored twice as NEC came from 2-1 down to win 4-2 in Zagreb.
How Did Sunderland Perform Against Lech Poznań?
Sunderland drew 1-1 after Tymur Tutierov scored in the second minute and Leo Bengtsson equalized for Lech in the 70th minute.
How Many Teams Qualify Directly for the Europa League Round of 16?
The top eight clubs in the 36-team league phase qualify directly. Teams ranked ninth to 24th enter the knockout-phase playoffs.
When Is Europa League Matchday 4?
The fourth league-phase matchday is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Leverkusen and Ferencváros Set the Pace as Marseille Run Out of Easy Answers
The early Europa League matches on October 22 exposed very different levels of readiness for the challenges ahead.
Leverkusen demonstrated control, extending a perfect record without conceding a goal.
Ferencváros continued to combine attacking productivity with the ability to recover when opponents responded.
Union Saint-Gilloise delivered another emphatic victory, while AZ Alkmaar confirmed their recovery from an opening defeat.
NEC Nijmegen supplied the most dramatic reversal of expectations, transforming an early campaign marked by defensive weakness into an impressive away victory against Dinamo Zagreb.
Sunderland and Juventus remain unbeaten but will recognize that dropped leads and lost advantages can become expensive as the eight-match league phase progresses.
Marseille face the starkest problem.
Three defeats have left the French side with no points, only one goal and a demanding visit to Leverkusen next.
UEFA’s format gives teams five more matches to change their positions, but there is already a clear difference between those building a platform for direct qualification and those struggling simply to remain competitive.
Thursday’s early fixtures delivered 28 goals and several important shifts in momentum.
The broader Matchday 3 picture will require the remaining ten games to be incorporated before definitive judgments about the complete league table can be made.