Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Manchester United Secure Dramatic Europa League Semi-Final Berth After Thrilling Encounter
A ‘Never Gonna Stop’ banner, showcasing the club’s storied European history, was unveiled at Old Trafford on Thursday, but Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final clash against Lyon proved to be another rollercoaster for their faithful supporters. Questions persist about when the team will cease subjecting fans to such nerve-wracking experiences, repeatedly conceding avoidable goals and surrendering advantages, allowing sides like Lyon to claw their way back into critical contests.
Chaotic Match Unfolds at Old Trafford
The match was an utterly chaotic affair, defying straightforward description. Manchester United established a two-goal cushion by halftime, only for Lyon to mount a resurgence, leveling the score and pushing the quarter-final into extra time. Remarkably, Lyon then scored twice more while playing with only ten men.
Manchester United appeared to be on the brink of elimination. However, demonstrating resilience, they clawed back a goal, and then another, refusing to surrender.
In the dying moments of extra time, Harry Maguire rose to the occasion, heading in a decisive goal that ignited jubilant scenes at Old Trafford, securing victory in the most dramatic fashion.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Europa League Semi-Finals Await
Thus, Manchester United, against the odds, progresses to the Europa League semi-finals. They are now set to confront Athletic Bilbao in May, with the tantalizing prospect of reaching the final in the Basque city itself, at the San Mames Stadium, later that month.
Man United staged a remarkable comeback to advance to the Europa League semi-finals
Harry Maguire’s headed goal in the 121st minute sealed a 7-6 aggregate triumph over Lyon
United faced a 6-4 aggregate deficit with mere minutes remaining before their sensational turnaround
While perhaps not comparable to the club’s three European Cup triumphs commemorated on the banner, this victory will be celebrated by Ruben Amorim and his squad after an unforgettable evening.
Salvation from what has been a turbulent season remains within reach. The opportunity to secure silverware, automatic Champions League qualification, and a substantial financial windfall of £100 million is still alive.
This match was crucial for Ruben Amorim, carrying significant implications.
‘We all recognise the magnitude of what is at stake,’ United’s head coach affirmed in his pre-match programme notes, before fielding an unchanged starting eleven from the previous week’s 2-2 draw in France and offering Andre Onana a chance to redeem himself following prior errors.
‘The home advantage tonight offers us the incredible asset of a packed Old Trafford, a factor that can significantly influence the outcome.’
The newly unveiled banner in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand heightened the sense of occasion. Even as the smoke from pre-match pyrotechnics lingered, Maguire further galvanised the supporters with a timely intervention against Lyon’s dangerous attacker, Rayan Cherki.
United Takes Early Lead
Manchester United seized the initiative with a well-orchestrated attack in the 10th minute, catching Lyon off guard.
Noussair Mazraoui’s incisive pass down the right flank located Fernandes, who had eluded Paul Akouokou.
Lyon appeared poised to complete an extraordinary comeback victory, leading 4-2 in extra time
However, Ruben Amorim’s team orchestrated an improbable turnaround to keep their season hopes alive
Manuel Ugarte opened the scoring for United in the 10th minute, following a rapid start from the home side
Diogo Dalot scored a superb goal just before halftime, extending Ruben Amorim’s team’s lead to 2-0
Momentum seemed to be firmly with United as they placed one foot in the semi-finals after an impressive first half
He delivered the ball to Alejandro Garnacho, who skillfully evaded Jordan Veretout and Moussa Niakhate before intelligently cutting it back for Manuel Ugarte. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, unmarked in a dangerous position, calmly slotted the ball home.
Onana approached the Lyon supporters, who had been jeering his every touch, performing a celebratory gesture in front of them. Fernandes spearheaded the celebrations around Old Trafford as VAR confirmed his onside positioning, validating the goal.
Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri then denied Casemiro with an impressive one-handed save, and Fernandes struck the crossbar with a powerful volley, before United extended their advantage in added time at the end of the first half.
Maguire lofted a pass to Diogo Dalot on the edge of the Lyon penalty area.
He grappled with Nico Tagliafico, who fell to the ground appealing for a foul, but the Swiss officials deemed no infringement. Dalot composed himself and unleashed a powerful shot that found the net off the far post.
Garnacho should have effectively sealed the tie within five minutes of the restart, but his shot was directed straight at Perri when presented with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Lyon subsequently capitalized on United’s missed opportunity.
Onana saved Corentin Tolisso’s shot, but he was powerless to prevent the Lyon captain from reducing the deficit in the 71st minute, heading home from close range.
Andre Onana taunted the Lyon fans following the goals amid his spat with Nemanja Matic
But United squandered numerous clear chances to extend their lead, a lapse they would rue
Corentin Tolisso scored in the 71st minute, intensifying the pressure on United
Lyon then completed an astonishing turnaround as Nicolas Tagliafico equalized six minutes later
Former Arsenal player Alexandre Lacazette initially claimed the goal, but replays showed the ball had already crossed the line
Lyon’s Comeback and Extra-Time Drama
United were visibly shaken, and Lyon capitalized, silencing Old Trafford with an equalizer in the 78th minute.
Tagliafico connected with Malick Fofana’s cross, his mis-hit volley eluding Onana and crossing the line at the far post despite the goalkeeper’s desperate attempt to claw it back.
Lyon’s momentum was momentarily disrupted when Tolisso received a contentious second yellow card for a challenge on Leny Yoro, reducing them to 10 men. However, the drama was far from over.
Cherki, a former Manchester United target as a youth player, unleashed a powerful shot through Dalot’s legs and into the bottom corner after United had initially regained possession from Fofana.
Subsequently, Luke Shaw fouled the dangerous Fofana, and former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette confidently converted the resulting penalty. Both Lyon goals prompted pitchside celebrations from their bench.
United’s Last-Gasp Heroics
Remarkably, Manchester United rallied once more. Referee Sandro Scharer, upon VAR review, consulted the pitchside monitor following a late challenge by Almada on Casemiro. Fernandes then converted the penalty in the 114th minute, reigniting hope.
Just six minutes later, Fernandes and Casemiro combined to set up Kobbie Mainoo – deployed in a false nine role – who skillfully cut inside and equalized.
Tolisso’s dismissal near the end of normal time for a second yellow card was a setback for Lyon
Despite being a man down, Lyon displayed brilliance, with Rayan Cherki putting them ahead with a superb finish
Lacazette then extended Lyon’s aggregate lead to 6-4, converting a penalty in extra time
Bruno Fernandes offered United renewed hope by converting a penalty, setting the stage for a dramatic finale
Amidst the pandemonium engulfing Old Trafford, Casemiro delivered a precise cross to the far post, where Maguire headed the ball inside the far post.
This time, it was the Manchester United staff who surged onto the pitch in unrestrained elation, while the Lyon players stood in stunned disbelief.
An absolutely sensational football match concluded with Manchester United, maintaining their unbeaten European record this season, advancing to face Bilbao with renewed conviction that this could be their year in the Europa League.