United orchestrates stunning turnaround to advance into Europa League semifinals in memorable fashion
In the final breaths of the Europa League quarterfinal, Manchester United appeared to be on the brink of yet another dismal season defeat. Sitting 14th in the Premier League table and facing elimination after surrendering a two-goal lead, it seemed like a miracle was needed. But then, something extraordinary happened.
United kicked off an epic comeback, scoring three times in the last six minutes of extra time to claim a 7-6 aggregate win against Lyon. The improbable victory has secured them a place in the Europa League semifinals, offering a glimmer of silverware amidst an otherwise lackluster season.
"I said it was going to take more than a miracle to get back in it," said former United defender and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand. "Now, I'm a believer because that was outrageous."
The comeback began when United took a commanding lead thanks to first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. A stunning volley from Bruno Fernandes almost sealed the deal, his shot thumping off the crossbar. But as the game progressed, hope began to dissipate as Lyon equalized with 20 minutes remaining. Nicolás Tagliafico's goal saw United's lead evaporate in the blink of an eye, and with extra time on the horizon, it looked like the French side would advance.
However, Lyon's ambition was dented when Corentin Tolisso was sent off for a second yellow card. Despite being reduced to ten men, Lyon managed to take the lead with Rayan Cherki's strike in the 104th minute. This advantage proved short-lived, as Alexandre Lacazette added a fourth goal for Lyon without response from United.
Cue one of the most memorable comebacks in European football. Fernandes' penalty made it 4-3 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, while Kobbie Mainoo's neat finish in the 120th minute sent Old Trafford into pandemonium. The dramatic events didn't stop there - Harry Maguire, deployed as a makeshift striker, headed the ball into the net in the first minute of stoppage time, sealing an unlikely victory.
According to Opta, this is the first time that five goals have been scored in extra time during a major European match, with United also becoming the first team to score two goals at the 120th minute in such a competition.
"I think that is why we love this sport so much," United manager Ruben Amorim told reporters. "All the frustration that a coach has in this season, the bad moments - when you have moments like this, it is all worth it."
Defender Leny Yoro echoed Amorim's sentiments, telling TNT Sports that he "couldn't understand what happened."
United will now face Spanish team Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals, while Premier League rival Tottenham will face Bodø/Glimt, the surprise package of this season's Europa League.
Bodø/Glimt Stuns Lazio
As an underdog in the quarterfinal against Italian club Lazio, Bodø/Glimt delivered an amazing performance. In the first leg, a 2-0 home win had left them well-positioned to reach the final four.
Lazio fought hard in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, pulling one back through Valentín Castellanos' first-half goal before Tijjani Noslin equalized in the 93rd minute, sending the game into extra time. With just seconds remaining, Andreas Helmersen had a golden opportunity to secure victory but missed.
Boulaye Dia's close-range header gave Lazio the lead for the first time in the tie, but Bodø/Glimt refused to give up. Helmersen's late goal in extra time meant the game was destined for a penalty shootout. Despite Helmersen's subsequent dismissal, Lazio's frustration deepened when they failed to convert three of their five penalties, allowing Bodø/Glimt to progress and become the first Norwegian team to reach the semifinals of a European competition.
"It's huge. We're very happy," said goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, who made two saves in the shootout. "It's historic, not only for Bodø/Glimt but for all of Norwegian football."
- Manchester United's improbable victory in the Europa League quarterfinal against Lyon, securing them a place in the semifinals, has offered a glimmer of silverware amidst a lackluster Premier League season.
- Despite earlier elimination prospects and sitting 14th in the Premier League table, United staged an epic comeback, scoring three times in the last six minutes of extra time to claim a 7-6 aggregate win.
- Former United defender and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand, who initially said it would take a miracle to get United back in the game, now considers the comeback "outrageous."
- In the sports analysis following the match, it was revealed that this is the first time five goals have been scored in extra time during a major European match, with United also becoming the first team to score two goals at the 120th minute in such a competition.
- In the Europa League, Premier League rival Tottenham will face Bodø/Glimt, the surprise package of this season's competition, while United will face Spanish team Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals.
- Bodø/Glimt, the underdog in the quarterfinal against Italian club Lazio, delivered an amazing performance, becoming the first Norwegian team to reach the semifinals of a European competition after a thrilling penalty shootout victory.
