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Manchester United’s English defender #05 Harry Maguire and teammates rejoice with their followers after Maguire scores their fifth objective through the UEFA Europa league quarter-final remaining, second leg soccer match between Manchester United and Lyon at Previous Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 17, 2025. (Picture by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)— Manchester United got here from 4-2 down in extra-time to beat Lyon 5-4 in a outstanding Europa League quarter-final to progress 7-6 on combination on Thursday.
United’s season regarded over when Lyon got here from 2-0 down to steer by two objectives with simply six minutes remaining at Previous Trafford regardless of having captain Corentin Tolisso sent-off.
Nevertheless, a Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike and Harry Maguire’s header capped a surprising finale to arrange a semi-final assembly with Athletic Bilbao.
The Pink Devils sit 14th within the English prime flight and defeat would have virtually definitely meant lacking out on European soccer completely subsequent season.
As a substitute they’re simply three video games away from a European trophy and the lifeline of direct entry to the riches of the Champions League subsequent season.
First-half objectives from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot had put United in a commanding place.
However the defensive deficiencies and psychological fragility of Ruben Amorim’s facet have been uncovered in a collapse that threatened to cap a depressing marketing campaign.
Two objectives in seven minutes from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico introduced Lyon degree.
Tolisso was then sent-off for 2 yellow playing cards within the 89th minute.
The ten males nonetheless regarded set to prevail within the additional half-hour due to an excellent strike from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty.
United’s historical past is construct on dramatic late fightbacks however few have been extra outstanding than this to go away Lyon shellshocked.
The house facet received off to a flying begin due to a advantageous crew objective as Fernandes launched Alejandro Garnacho down the best and his cross picked out Ugarte to fit in simply his second objective since becoming a member of the English giants kind Paris Saint-Germain.
Amorim’s resolution to revive Andre Onana in objective was below scrutiny.
The Cameroonian had been dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle after two pricey errors that led to each Lyon’s objectives in final week’s 2-2 first leg draw.
These errors got here after a confrontation with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who labelled him “one of many worst goalkeepers in United’s historical past.”
The 29-year-old rewarded his supervisor’s religion with a few necessary stops to stop Lyon levelling by means of Paul Akouokou and Cherki.
On the different finish, a United facet which have typically regarded laboured and missing in concepts all season, instantly clicked into gear within the first 45 minutes.
United doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Maguire’s lengthy ball was expertly managed by Dalot, who then fired in off the within of the submit.
Garnacho ought to have killed the tie off inside minutes of the restart for the second half when he shot straight at Lucas Perri with Fernandes begging for a cross for a faucet in.
That was to show a turning level as United crumbled in beautiful style.
Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca was capable of prowl the touchline not like in Ligue 1 the place he’s serving a nine-month touchline ban.
The Portuguese launched captain Lacazette off the bench in a bid to show the tide.
And the previous Arsenal striker performed a central function within the fightback.
Lacazette flicked on Moussa Niakhate’s header and Tolisso swooped to move in and provides the guests a lifeline.
Tagliafico then prodded in on the again submit regardless of Onana’s try and scoop it off the road.
Simply as Lyon have been within the ascendency Tolisso gave them a mountain to climb once more with a smooth second yellow for a visit on Casemiro.
But, it didn’t initially matter as Cherki confirmed his standing as certainly one of Europe’s rising stars with a robust drive that left Onana immobile.
Lyon’s different prized asset Malick Fofana was then chopped down by Luke Shaw inside the realm and Lacazette confidently dispatched the ensuing spot-kick.
One other penalty on the different finish, although, kickstarted the fightback as Fernandes fired house.
Substitute Mainoo confirmed why he had been thrust in an unfamiliar ahead function with a composed end to degree on 120 minutes.
Barely 60 seconds later Maguire accomplished the comeback with a towering header on the again submit.
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