Manchester United Makes It to the Europa League Semifinals After Surviving a Lyon Scare

Manchester United defeated Lyon in a thrilling match at Old Trafford to guarantee their spot in the 2024–2025 UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
Manchester United won the second leg 5–4, giving the Premier League powerhouses a thrilling 7–6 aggregate victory.

Manchester United went into the second game with a strong sense of urgency after the first match ended in a 2-2 tie. They took the lead early on, giving the home crowd hope when Manuel Ugarte scored in the tenth minute.

Diogo Dalot extended United’s lead just before halftime, scoring in injury time (45+1′) to increase the final score to 4-2, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

But Lyon was on the ball. The contest was abruptly turned upside down when Corentin Tolisso and Nicolás Tagliafico scored quickly after one other (71′ and 77′). With the score at 4–4 that evening, Lyon took back control of the match and placed United under tremendous pressure.

When Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute, his team was down a man going into extra time, adding to the intensity of the game.

But in extra time, the tables swung against the hosts. Rayan Cherki of Lyon put United on the ropes with a goal in the 104th minute. Five minutes later, Alexandre Lacazette scored a penalty kick (109′) that seemed to end United’s chances of winning, making the final score 6-4. United appeared to be on the verge of elimination, and the pressure was evident.

However, United was given a lifeline precisely when it appeared like there was no hope left. Bruno Fernandes showed incredible poise in the 114th minute to convert a penalty kick, cutting the lead to 6-5. Then, in a stunning move, youthful player Kobbie Mainoo scored in the last seconds of the game (120′), tying the score at 6-6 and bringing the match to a close conclusion.

The situation became jubilant for United supporters as penalties were imminent. Harry Maguire was an unanticipated hero in stoppage time (120+1′), scoring a last-minute goal to complete an exciting 5-4 victory that evening and guarantee a 7-6 aggregate victory.