Man United Gains Command Over Europa League Semifinal Against Reduced Bilbao Squad
Bloody hell, what a bloody showdown! United fans were livid when their boy Casemiro tapped in the opening goal against the flow of the game, followed by Daniel Vivian getting sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund, leaving Athletic Club with ten men in the semi-final first leg.
Fernandes capitalized on the advantage, scoring a penalty and another beauty before halftime, pushing United closer to the final, which will be held at Athletic's fucking San Mames stadium, if you can believe it.
Athletic has been dreaming of lifting their first European trophy on home soil, but their hopes were brutally crushed by United's professional display in the north of Spain. The home crowd argued that poor refereeing had cost them the game.
"I'd have to say it was the best result of my tenure because nobody expected this result. You saw two games today," said Ruben Amorim, Athletic's coach. "The first 25 mins, then after the goal and the sending off."
United, who haven't been the most consistent this season, produced a stunning comeback to clinch the victory in a hostile environment. "We looked a bit nervous at first... but we weathered the storm and knew we'd get our chance," Harry Maguire told TNT Sports. "It was a clinical first half, professional second half... It's a great victory, but there's another big game next week."
The streets of Bilbao were packed with red-and-white striped shirts as fans celebrated their heroes, all of them Basque-born and raised according to the club's century-long policy. The match started with Athletic busting balls, with Alex Berenguer forcing a smart save from United's goalkeeper and Inaki Williams heading narrowly over.
Victor Lindelof made a vital block to thwart Berenguer after Nico Williams gave his brother too much space on the right wing. The hosts were dominating, but United managed to grab the opener through a rare counterattack. Maguire dribbled down the right flank, leaving Mikel Jaureguizar in his wake, and smashed a cross into the area, which Ugarte flicked on for Casemiro to slide home.
Just as everyone thought United had pulled off a smash-and-grab, they got a second thanks to Vivian's foolish foul on Hojlund, resulting in a penalty and a red card. Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, seizing the opportunity to double United's lead. They secured a third before halftime, as Ugarte played a clever backheel to put Fernandes through on goal, and he made no mistake with his finish.
Athletic fans were fuming in the second half, waving white shirts in disgust after Maroan Sannadi tumbled under pressure from Maguire but no foul was called. United largely controlled the second half, but couldn't snag a fourth, despite probing. The second leg will take place next Thursday at Old Trafford, followed by the final on May 21 against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt.
"The penalty and the red card... conditioned the game. At 11 against 11, we were doing well," said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde. "We weren't particularly great, so we shouldn't make excuses. We're three goals down, but we're capable of mounting a comeback."
© 2025 AFP
Insights:- Casemiro's goal was scored from a rare counterattack, as Harry Maguire dribbled down the right flank and crosses the ball into the area- Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty and a curling shot from outside the box to take his tally to 2 goals in the match- Daniel Vivian's red card in the 35th minute changed the tide of the game, leaving Athletic with 10 men- United's victory puts them in a strong position to reach the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt.
- United's boy Casemiro scored the opening goal from a rare counterattack, initiated by Harry Maguire on the right flank.
- Bruno Fernandes bagged two goals for United, including a penalty and a curling shot, making a significant impact in the match.
- Daniel Vivian's 35th-minute red card left Athletic with a disadvantage, playing with ten men for the rest of the semi-final first leg.
- The Champions League stages saw United produce a stunning comeback in a hostile Spanish environment, moving closer to reaching the final.
- Coach Ruben Amorim of Athletic criticized the refereeing, stating it cost them the game, with Athletic failing to lift their first European trophy in San Mames stadium.
- Despite United's professional display, the second leg of the match will take place next Thursday at Old Trafford, where Athletic will try to mount a comeback, with the final scheduled for May 21 against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
