Harry Maguire became the hero for Manchester United with a last-minute goal in extra time, sealing a thrilling 7-6 aggregate victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League quarterfinals. The dramatic second leg took place at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025, where United faced a tense battle after leading 2-0 but allowing Lyon to equalize.
The match started well for United. Manuel Ugarte opened the scoring just 10 minutes in, followed by Diogo Dalot’s goal just before halftime, giving the home team a 2-0 lead. However, Lyon responded fiercely in the second half. Goals from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico leveled the match at 2-2, putting Lyon on the brink of advancing.
The game shifted when Tolisso received a red card late in regulation, leaving Lyon with 10 men. This gave United a crucial numerical advantage. Bruno Fernandes then scored a penalty, reigniting hope for the home fans. With time running out, Maguire’s header in the 121st minute sent Old Trafford into a frenzy, securing a 5-4 win in the second leg and pushing United into the semifinals against Athletic Bilbao.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans and players alike. United had to dig deep after their lead vanished, but they showed resilience to come back and clinch victory. The win not only keeps their European hopes alive but also adds excitement to their campaign as they aim for silverware this season.
In other Europa League action, Tottenham secured their spot in the semifinals with a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, thanks to a first-half penalty from Dominic Solanke. Athletic Bilbao also advanced after a 2-0 victory against Rangers, while Lazio faced Bodo/Glimt in another tight contest that went to extra time.