Manchester United kept their season alive in dramatic fashion, overcoming Olympique Lyonnais 5-4 in a pulsating Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Despite trailing 4-2 in extra time, United rallied with three late goals to seal a place in the semi-finals, where they will face Athletic Bilbao.
On a night that revived memories of United’s great European comebacks, the Premier League strugglers gave their fans something to cheer about, having endured a dismal domestic campaign that currently sees them languishing in the bottom half of the table.
United went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. The hosts, however, lost their grip in the second half as Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico brought Lyon level with two quick strikes. Although Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute, Lyon remarkably went ahead 4-2 in extra time through Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty.
As supporters began to file out of the stadium, Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to begin United’s revival. Kobbie Mainoo equalised with a curling effort before Harry Maguire, deployed as a makeshift striker, rose to head home the winner in stoppage time of extra time.
“It was fun,” United manager Ruben Amorim remarked after the match. “If you see the goals from Kobbie and Harry Maguire, the sound of the stadium was the best sound I ever (heard). You want to keep that. People want to keep a lot of things, shirts, I just want to keep that sound, it's the best sound in the world.”
Amorim emphasised the importance of the Europa League for United, both as a chance for silverware and a route to the Champions League.
“We still have time to make something special of this season, so we have to think like that and be positive,” he added.
Athletic Bilbao, United’s next opponents, progressed with a 2-0 win over Rangers, courtesy of goals from Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, after a goalless first leg.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur also advanced to the last four with a narrow 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, securing a 2-1 aggregate win. Dominic Solanke scored the lone goal from the spot after a foul on James Maddison was confirmed via VAR.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou praised his players’ belief and resolve. “The players believe in what we're doing and I'm so proud of them because it was a big game for us — no doubt about it — for our season, for everything, and what we're trying to achieve,” he said.
Tottenham will face Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt, who made history by becoming the first side from Norway to reach the semi-finals of a European competition. They edged past Lazio on penalties after the Italians had levelled the tie 3-3 on aggregate.
Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin made the crucial save against Taty Castellanos to seal the historic win. “It's historic, not only for Bodø/Glimt but for all of Norwegian football,” Haikin said. “Even after I saved Castellanos' shot, I didn't realise we'd won — but then I saw the guys running and I started running too.”
In the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea, Fiorentina and Real Betis all booked semi-final berths. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Legia Warsaw in the second leg but advanced 4-2 on aggregate. Fiorentina drew 2-2 with Celje to complete a 4-3 aggregate win, while Real Betis drew 1-1 with Jagiellonia Bialystok to go through 3-1 on aggregate. Djurgården hammered SK Rapid 4-1 for a 4-2 aggregate triumph.
Chelsea will now face Djurgården, while Fiorentina take on Real Betis in the semi-finals.
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