Seville, Spain – As extra time neared its end, Manchester United’s Europa League campaign appeared all but over against Lyon. With a two-goal lead squandered and the scoreline seemingly in Lyon’s favor, it seemed like another disappointing chapter in United’s difficult season, which had already seen them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
But in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory, United pulled off a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in the final six minutes of extra time to win 7-6 on aggregate. The victory sent them through to the Europa League semifinals, where they will face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao, keeping their hopes for silverware alive.
“I said during the commentary, it would take more than a miracle to turn this around,” said Rio Ferdinand, former United defender and TNT Sports pundit. “But now, I’m a believer, because what we saw was outrageous.”
United had been in control after first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, having taken a 2-0 lead in the return leg, following a 2-2 draw in Lyon. Bruno Fernandes nearly scored a spectacular volley, his shot bouncing off the crossbar, while United’s defense looked solid.
However, things took a dramatic turn in the final 20 minutes of normal time. Lyon mounted a comeback with Corentin Tolisso’s header and Nicolás Tagliafico’s equalizer, leveling the score and putting United on the brink of elimination.
The match went to extra time after Lyon’s Tolisso received a second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men. But Lyon was undeterred, as Rayan Cherki’s strike in the 104th minute and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty early in the second half of extra time gave them a 4-2 lead on the night.
But United wasn’t finished. Fernandes scored a penalty to make it 4-3 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, while Kobbie Mainoo’s well-taken finish in the 120th minute brought Old Trafford to life, leveling the tie at 6-6 on aggregate.
For those fans who had stayed in their seats instead of leaving early, the game’s final moments were nothing short of miraculous. In the first minute of stoppage time, Harry Maguire, playing as a makeshift striker, scored a header to give United the lead and complete one of the most improbable comebacks in European football history.
According to Opta, United became the first team to score two goals in the 120th minute of a major European match, and it was the first time five goals were scored in extra time in a major European competition.
United manager Ruben Amorim reflected on the unbelievable nature of the victory: “All the frustrations of this season, the bad moments—when you experience something like this, it makes everything worth it.”
Defender Leny Yoro summed up the team’s emotions, saying, “I don’t understand what happened. We gave everything, and thank God we won. That was crazy.”
United will now travel to northern Spain to face Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semifinal on May 1. In the other semifinal, Premier League rival Tottenham will host Bodø/Glimt, the surprise team of this season’s Europa League, which pulled off a stunning upset against Italy’s Lazio.
Bodø/Glimt Shocks Lazio
The Norwegian champions, Bodø/Glimt, entered their quarterfinal tie against Lazio as heavy underdogs after a 2-0 win at home in the first leg. In the return leg at the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio piled on the pressure and equalized through Valentín Castellanos’ first-half goal.
In dramatic fashion, Tijjani Noslin’s last-minute equalizer sent the match into extra time, after Bodø/Glimt missed a golden chance to seal victory earlier. Boulaye Dia’s header gave Lazio the lead for the first time in the tie, but Bodø/Glimt responded in the 109th minute with Helmersen’s goal.
Despite Helmersen being sent off for a second yellow card, the match went to penalties, where Lazio missed three of its five attempts. Bodø/Glimt triumphed, making history as the first Norwegian team to reach the semifinals of a European competition, a remarkable achievement for the small town of Bodø, with just 55,000 residents located inside the Arctic Circle.
Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, who saved two penalties, said, “It’s huge, not only for Bodø/Glimt but for all of Norwegian football. I was angry after missing chances, but in football, you have to move on and embrace the unpredictability.