Europa League: Man United reach last four after dramatic win over Lyon; Bodo, Spurs and Athletic Bilbao also advance
The UEFA Europa League quarter-finals showcased thrilling action as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Athletic Club, and Bodø/Glimt secured their places in the semi-finals. Here’s a recap of the key moments from each memorable match.
Manchester United 5-4 Lyon (Agg: 7-6): Maguire’s Late Heroics
At Old Trafford, Manchester United delivered a dramatic performance to overcome Lyon in a nine-goal thriller. United started strong, taking an early lead through Manuel Ugarte and doubling it with a goal from Diogo Dalot. However, Lyon mounted a comeback, leveling the score before extra time.
Despite going down to ten men, Lyon took a 4-2 lead in extra time. United rallied, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty and Kobbie Mainoo equalizing. In a stunning finish, Harry Maguire headed in the winner in the dying moments, securing a place in the semi-finals against Athletic Club.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Agg: 1-2): Solanke’s Decisive Penalty
Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the semi-finals after a hard-fought victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Dominic Solanke scored a first-half penalty, ending his goalless streak and helping Spurs maintain their lead.
Despite facing heavy pressure from Frankfurt, Tottenham held firm, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario making crucial saves to secure the win. This victory marked Spurs’ first European semi-final appearance since 2019.
Athletic Club 2-0 Rangers (Agg: 2-0): Dominance at Home
Athletic Club progressed to the semi-finals with a solid performance against Rangers, maintaining their perfect home record in the competition. Oihan Sancet opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before halftime, and Nico Williams added a second goal late in the match to seal the victory.
Rangers struggled to find their rhythm, and Athletic’s defense held strong to ensure a comfortable aggregate win.
Lazio 3-1 Bodø/Glimt (Agg: 3-3, 2-3 on Penalties): Historic Achievement for Norwegian Side
In a remarkable upset, Bodø/Glimt advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Lazio on penalties after a dramatic tie. Despite losing the match 3-1 in extra time, Bodø/Glimt held their nerve in the shootout to become the first Norwegian team to reach a European semi-final.
Nikita Haikin’s heroics in goal were crucial, saving key penalties to secure their historic victory.
Looking Ahead
The semi-finals will feature Manchester United facing Athletic Club and Tottenham taking on Bodø/Glimt. The first legs are scheduled for May 1, with return matches on May 8. The Europa League final will take place on May 21 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, promising more exciting action as teams vie for glory.
