Manchester United, amidst Garnacho's contentious circumstances, emerged victorious in their clash against Bilbao in Spain, partially securing their place in the Europa League final.
In the rearview, Manchester United, with Argentine Alejandro Garnacho, clinched a nail-biting victory over Olympique Lyon, advancing to the UEFA Europa League semifinals in extra time. Manager Ruben Amorim's team flipped its middling Premier League image, securing an impressive 3-0 win over Athletic Club de Bilbao at San Mamés, inching closer to the continental tournament final.
The lopsided score may lead one to believe that the Red Devils dominated the match, but that wasn't the entire story. The bout was evenly balanced until the English squad dealt a crushing blow to the Basque team in a 15-minute span of the first half.
Man-of-the-match contender Harry Maguire, more often criticized for his misadventures than his artistry, pulled off an extraordinary play reminiscent of a winger in the 30th minute. In an audacious offensive move after an attacking free kick, he positioned himself, received the ball on the right, dribbled past his marker, Mikel Jauregizar, to the byline, and delivered a pinpoint cross to the penalty spot. Two formidable headers ensued in the area, resulting in a goal, with Manuel Ugarte providing the touch and Casemiro sealing it.
Just seven minutes later, the VAR entered the scene, signaling a potential penalty against Daniel Vivian for foul play against Rasmus Hojlund. The penalty and the subsequent red card drastically shifted the game's momentum, as Athletic Club was reduced to 10 men. Despite the disputes from Vivian and Bilbao over an early handball by Garnacho, the referee allowed the goal to stand, and Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot.
Athletic Club struggled to make a comeback with their reduced numbers, and Fernandes found the back of the net again, this time after an innovative backheel assist from Ugarte, securing the 3-0 victory.
Garnacho's disallowed goal at the start of the game and United's dominance in the second half could not translate into more goals. As the final whistle blew, United returned to Manchester with dreams of lifting the trophy, while Bilbao eyed a historic comeback at Old Trafford.
A Blow-by-Blow Account: Manchester United's Triumph over Athletic Bilbao
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Home Team: Athletic Club de Bilbao (ACB)Away Team: Manchester United (MU)Stadium: San Mamés, Bilbao, SpainReferee: Espen Eskås (Norway)Assistant Referees: Thomas Evjen and Serhiy BerezkaFourth Official: Kristoffer Hagenes (Norway)VAR: Ursi Nielsen (Switzerland)Match Highlights
- 30' Maguire, following an attacking free kick, delivers a cross to Casemiro for a headed goal.
- 35' Dani Vivian is sent off for a foul in the penalty area on Rasmus Højlund, and Bruno Fernandes converts the penalty.
- 37' Bruno Fernandes scores his second goal, exploiting Bilbao's weakened defense.
- In an impressive offensive move by Manchester United during the first half, defender Harry Maguire delivered a cross from the byline to the penalty spot, resulting in a goal scored by Casemiro.
- The momentum of the match drastically shifted when the VAR signaled a potential penalty against Daniel Vivian for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund, leading to Bruno Fernandes scoring from the spot and Vivian receiving a red card.
- Facing a reduced enemy, Athletic Club struggled to make a comeback in the remaining minutes of the game.
- Regardless of Garnacho's disallowed goal at the beginning and United's dominance in the second half, they could only manage two goals in this encounter.
- Having secured the 3-0 victory, Manchester United, currently competing in the UEFA Europa League semifinals, returned to Manchester with aspirations of lifting the trophy, while Athletic Bilbao eyed a historic comeback at Old Trafford.
