Which teams have qualified for the Europa League knockout round?

It's a fascinating quirk of fate how the footballing landscape can shift over time. Once dubbed "Neverkusen" due to their unfortunate habit of stumbling at crucial moments, Bayer Leverkusen has experienced a remarkable transformation this season. Under the impressive guidance of Xabi Alonso, they have emerged as a formidable force, displaying an unbeaten record across all competitions in Europe's top five leagues.

Gone are the days of their infamous collapse in May 2002, where they let the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League slip away in less than two weeks. Instead, Leverkusen now stand as a team of resilience and vigor, defying their previous moniker.

Their dominance extends beyond their domestic campaign, as evidenced by their commanding performance in the Europa League group stage. With a resounding 5-1 victory over Norwegian club Molde on Thursday night, they solidified their status as the only team to achieve a perfect record in this tournament. Six wins from six matches in Group H, conceding only three goals while netting an impressive 19, exhibited their prowess and strength of will.

In a continuation of previous seasons' format, the eight victors of their respective Europa League groups are granted a direct passage into the last 16. However, those who finish in second place face a different fate. They must engage in a playoff match, contending against the clubs that have found themselves in the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League groups.

Liverpool and Atalanta had already secured their places in the round of 16 before the final round of games. Qarabag secured second place in their group behind Leverkusen, thereby earning a spot in the knockout stage for the first time. Their 2-1 victory over Hacken proved instrumental in their qualification. In another thrilling encounter, Villarreal emerged victorious with a late winner from Dani Parejo, securing top spot in their group and direct qualification for the last 16. Their exhilarating 3-2 triumph over Rennes ensured their progression.

At London Stadium, West Ham claimed victory over Freiburg, enabling them to clinch the top spot in their group ahead of the German team. Brighton, in their first-ever European campaign, achieved a historic achievement by defeating Marseille 1-0, thereby storming directly into the round of 16, marking a significant milestone in the club's 122-year history.

Roma, led by the renowned Jose Mourinho, secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sheriff. However, despite their triumph, they finished second in their group, obliging them to participate in play-off in February. Slavia Prague claimed the top spot with 15 points, two more than Roma.

In other encounters, Rangers emerged triumphant with a 3-2 victory over Real Betis, enabling them to claim the top spot in their group with 11 points. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague secured second place thanks to a 3-1 victory against Aris Limassol.

The group stage certainly didn't disappoint, showcasing its fair share of thrilling moments as renowned teams made their mark, while others struggled to live up to their potential. Now, all attention shifts towards the pivotal stage of the competition – the playoffs. Anticipation builds as we eagerly await the much-anticipated draw, set to take place next Monday.