Manchester United Thrash Lyon In Europa League Classic, Spurs And Athletic Bilbao Qualify For Semi-Finals

Harry Maguire scored the winner as Manchester United staged an incredible extra-time comeback on Thursday to defeat Lyon and arrange a Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, while Tottenham Hotspur are also through to the last four after defeating Eintracht Frankfurt. Maguire’s added-time header in extra time secured United a 5-4 victory on the night at Old Trafford, and a 7-6 aggregate victory. They seemed to be sailing into the final four when, following a 2-2 first-leg stalemate last week in France, Manuel Ugarte converted an Alejandro Garnacho cutback on 10 minutes and then Diogo Dalot netted in first-half injury time.

Bruno Fernandes had struck the bar with an excellent volley in between, and United had opportunities to finish the tie before Corentin Tolisso nodded in on 71 minutes to give Lyon a glimmer of hope.

Nicolas Tagliafico later equalized on the night, and in the tie, with 12 minutes of regular time left, his shot crossing the line before goalkeeper Andre Onana was able to get a hand on it.

Lyon subsequently had Tolisso dismissed on a second yellow card at the end of regular time, yet broke away 3-2 ahead when Rayan Cherki netted after Malick Fofana had executed a good run in minute 105.

And the French side seemed to be cruising when Alexandre Lacazette scored a penalty to make it 4-2 on the night, and 6-4 on aggregate, five minutes into the second half of extra time after Luke Shaw fouled Fofana.

But nearly from the restart the hosts had a penalty of their own after a VAR intervention for a foul on Casemiro, and Fernandes scored to give them new hope.

A good finish by substitute Kobbie Mainoo equalised the tie once more in the 120th minute, apparently setting the stage for a penalty shoot-out, but Maguire had the final say as he headed Casemiro’s cross to create delirium on the field and in the Old Trafford stands.

“It was a great night,” United manager Ruben Amorim said to broadcaster TNT Sports.

“Here anything can happen, you sense the atmosphere. At 4-3, after the Bruno Fernandes penalty, we felt we could turn the game around.”

United will face Athletic in the last four, with the first leg in Bilbao, in their first European semi-final since losing the 2021 Europa League final on penalties to Villarreal.

Rangers out

In Bilbao, Athletic defeated Rangers 2-0 to advance to the last four after a goalless first leg draw in Glasgow.

Athletic took the lead on the night, and in the tie, in first-half injury time when Oihan Sancet scored from a penalty after Maroan Sannadi was brought down in the box by John Souttar.

Nicolas Raskin hit the post for Rangers early in the second half before Athletic wrapped up the win, and their qualification, when Nico Williams headed in Oscar De Marcos’ cross.

The Basque club are determined to progress all the way to the final which will be hosted in their San Mames stadium on May 21.

Bodo/Glint stun Lazio

Premier League strugglers Tottenham defeated 2022 Europa League champions Frankfurt 1-0 on the night in Germany to win 2-1 on aggregate.

The only goal of the match was netted by Dominic Solanke, who scored a penalty two minutes from halftime after James Maddison was slammed into by home keeper Kaua Santos.

“Our supporters have endured a difficult period. Hopefully this provides a bit of hope for them,” said coach Ange Postecoglou after his side’s win.

Tottenham’s first European semi-final since 2019, when they reached the Champions League final, is against Bodo/Glimt in the last four.

The Norwegians defeated Lazio 3-2 on penalties in Rome after another incredible tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Lazio had to turn around a 2-0 loss in last week’s first leg and took the lead on the night via Taty Castellanos before a Tijani Noslin goal late in injury time tied the tie on aggregate and sent it into extra time.

Boulaye Dia then headed Lazio ahead in the 100th minute, only for Andreas Helmersen to bring it back to 3-1 on the night and tie the tie again.

He was then dispatched, but Bodo/Glimt emerged victorious in the shoot-out after Castellanos was the third Lazio player to miss from the spot. They are the first Norwegian team to make it to a European semi-final.