Teams who progress from this stage of the competition are assured a league phase spot in the fall. While none of the eliminated teams are knocked out of Europe, they have to prevail in at least one more tie to continue playing continental football beyond the summer.
FCSB fall to North Macedonian side, exit competition
The first major upset in Champions League qualfication came in Romania, where former winners FCSB were stunned 3-1 on aggregate against North Macedonia's Shkendija. When Juri Cisotti had levelled the tie 28 minutes in, there was the expectation that the hosts would complete the comeback.
Instead, they went behind again five minutes later as Liridon Latifi put the guests back ahead. This time, it was for good, as although FCSB tried to grab another equalizer, they failed to do so. Substitute Vane Krstevski finished things off in the 87th minute to give Shkendija the shock win on the road and advance.
The club from Tetovo are just the second team from their nation to qualify for a group phase. This comes eight years after Vardar competed in the Europa League proper.
Ludogorets were made to work in their match against Croatia's Rijeka. The Bulgarians, who have won 14 league titles in a row, scored a 19th minute penalty, only to be pegged back midway through the second half.
However, they were able to recover in extra time with two goals in 10 minutes. They also a numerical advantage as the away side had two men sent off before the end of normal time. In the end, the Razgrad-based Ludogorets prevailed 3-1 on the night and on aggregate.
Ferencvaros were involved in a high-scoring affair, taking the lead on four separate occasions versus Armenia's Noah. In the end, their 4-3 victory in the Hungarian capital - coupled with their 2-1 first leg success - were enough to send them through 6-4 overall.
Elsewhere, Qarabag, Malmo, and Lech Poznan progressed with little problems, winning their matches by 1-0 scorelines over Shelbourne, RFS, and Breidablik respectively. The trio won their first legs by big scores to help them advance. As for Cypriot side Paphos, they got past 10-man Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in Serbia to advance 2-1 over the two legs.
All victorious teams in the domestic champions path are assured a place in the Conference League group phase, in case they lose their third qualifying round and playoff round ties.
Rangers finish off wasteful Panathinaikos, Viktoria Plzen pull off comeback
The league path, which features teams who did not win their domestic league, was also completed on Wednesday. Rangers were successful in knocking out Greek side Panathinaikos despite a 1-1 draw in Greece.
Heading into the match down 2-0 from the first leg, the home side continuously threatened, but could not find a breakthrough. In total, they amassed 20 shots on Rangers' goal throughout the match. They did manage to find the back of the net nine minutes into the second half, as Filip Djuricic's header found its way into the net. Although the flag was initially raised for offside, the decision was overturned by VAR.
Panathinaikos' hopes of a comeback were dashed a mere six minutes later through Djeidi Gassama, who was just brought on. The Frenchman, who also scored in the reverse fixture, hit a curling effort into the side of the net on the hour mark to secure progression for his team.
In Austria, RB Salzburg and Brann traded goals inside the opening 10 minutes. In the end, the match finished 1-1 on the night, which was enough for the former to move on 5-2 on aggregate.
The round's comeback came in Switzerland, as Servette - who won the first leg 1-0 away - had taken another early lead versus Viktoria Plzen through Alexis Antunes. Yet, by the half-hour mark of the first half, the Czech side levelled things on aggregate thanks to two goals in two minutes.
Midway through the second period, both teams were reduced to 10 men. This came just three minutes apart. Still, the teams pushed for a winner. That would come in the 87th minute, as Plzen won a penalty in the final stages. Up stepped Rafiu Durosinmi, who put his spot-kick just beyond Joel Mall.
That goal saw Plzen win the match 3-1, and progress with a 3-2 score over the two legs.
Rangers, Salzburg, and Plzen have all secured a spot in the Europa League proper by advancing to the third qualifying round, where five more teams join them.