Manchester United staged a sensational extra-time comeback to defeat Lyon 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling Europa League quarter-final at Old Trafford, earning a semi-final clash with Athletic Bilbao.
United looked firmly in control after an early opener from Manuel Ugarte, who converted Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback in the 10th minute. Diogo Dalot then added a second just before halftime, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead on the night and a 4-2 aggregate advantage. Bruno Fernandes came close to extending the lead further, rattling the crossbar with a brilliant volley.
Despite United’s dominance, Lyon clawed their way back. Corentin Tolisso headed in a goal in the 71st minute to reignite the contest. Just minutes later, Nicolas Tagliafico equalised on the night with a strike that narrowly crossed the line before goalkeeper Andre Onana could stop it, levelling the aggregate score at 4-4.
Lyon’s hopes took a hit when Tolisso received a second yellow card and was sent off just before the end of normal time. Yet, remarkably, the French side surged ahead in extra time. Rayan Cherki fired in a goal in the 105th minute after a dazzling run from Malick Fofana, before Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty to make it 4-2 in extra time and 6-4 on aggregate following a foul by Luke Shaw.
United responded immediately. A VAR review awarded them a penalty for a foul on Casemiro, and Fernandes made no mistake from the spot. Then, substitute Kobbie Mainoo pulled United level again with a superb finish in the 120th minute, making it 6-6 on aggregate. Just as a penalty shootout seemed inevitable, Harry Maguire rose highest to head in a Casemiro cross deep into added time, sealing a dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory.
The victory sends United into their first European semi-final since their 2021 Europa League final loss, and they will face Athletic Bilbao, who beat Rangers 2-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final in Spain after a goalless draw in Glasgow.
Athletic’s Oihan Sancet put his side ahead with a penalty in first-half stoppage time, after John Souttar fouled Maroan Sannadi in the box. Rangers came close through Nicolas Raskin, who hit the post, but Nico Williams sealed the tie with a header from an Oscar De Marcos cross. Athletic now have a chance to play a European final in their home stadium, San Mames, on May 21.
Tottenham Hotspur also advanced, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 in Germany and 2-1 on aggregate. Dominic Solanke scored the only goal of the second leg, converting a penalty just before halftime after James Maddison was brought down by goalkeeper Kaua Santos. It marks Spurs’ first European semi-final since their 2019 Champions League run.
They will face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who stunned Lazio in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 3-3 aggregate draw. Lazio had overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit with goals from Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia, but Andreas Helmersen kept Bodo/Glimt alive with a goal in extra time. Although Helmersen was later sent off, the Norwegians triumphed in the shoot-out, with Castellanos among the Lazio players who missed. Bodo/Glimt now make history as the first Norwegian club to reach a European semi-final.
