In a heart-stopping encounter at Old Trafford, Manchester United secured their place in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League semi-finals, overcoming a fierce challenge from Lyon.
The second leg ended 5-4 in favour of Manchester United, resulting in a nail-biting 7-6 aggregate victory for the Premier League giants.
After drawing 2-2 in the first leg, Manchester United approached the second leg with determination and urgency. They took the lead early on when Manuel Ugarte found the back of the net in the 10th minute, injecting a wave of optimism among the home fans.
Just before halftime, Diogo Dalot doubled United’s advantage, scoring in injury time (45+1’) to extend the aggregate score to 4-2, sending the crowd into a state of jubilation.
However, Lyon quickly responded. In a dramatic turn of events, Corentin Tolisso and Nicolás Tagliafico scored in rapid succession (71’ and 77’), momentarily flipping the match on its head. With the score at 4-4 on the night, Lyon regained a say in the tie, putting an immense amount of pressure on United.
The match’s intensity was further intensified by Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso receiving a red card in the 89th minute, leaving his team a man down a few minutes to extra time.
However, the table turned against the hosts during extra time. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki scored in the 104th minute, putting United on the ropes. Just five minutes later, Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty (109’) that appeared to seal United’s fate, making it 6-4 on aggregate. The pressure was palpable, with United seemingly on the brink of elimination.
Yet, just when it looked like all hope was lost, United received a lifeline. In the 114th minute, Bruno Fernandes displayed remarkable composure to convert a penalty, narrowing the deficit to 6-5. Then, dramatically, young talent Kobbie Mainoo struck in the dying moments of the match (120’), levelling the aggregate score at 6-6 and sending the contest into a tense finish.
With penalties looming, the scene turned euphoric for United fans. In stoppage time (120+1’), Harry Maguire emerged as an unexpected hero, heading home a last-minute winner that completed a thrilling 5-4 victory on the night and sealed a 7-6 aggregate triumph.
