Unlikely Hero Leads United to Dramatic Comeback Victory for the Ages

United heroes step up LATE to snatch win | 00:46

Manchester United came from 4-2 down in extra-time to beat Lyon 5-4 in a remarkable Europa League quarter-final to progress 7-6 on aggregate on Thursday.

United’s season looked over when Lyon came from 2-0 down to lead by two goals with just six minutes remaining at Old Trafford despite having captain Corentin Tolisso sent off.

However, a Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike and Harry Maguire’s header capped a stunning finale to set up a semi-final meeting with Athletic Bilbao.

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“I felt that here everything is possible,” said United boss Ruben Amorim. “After the 4-3, the penalty from Bruno, you feel that you can change the game.” The Red Devils sit 14th in the English top flight and defeat would have almost certainly meant missing out on European football entirely next season.

Instead they are just three games away from a European trophy and the lifeline of direct access to the riches of the Champions League next season.

“Everybody in this moment believes it is possible,” added Amorim. “One moment can change a lot of things in the players’ minds.” United’s history is built on dramatic late fightbacks, but few have been more remarkable than this to leave Lyon shellshocked.

The home side got off to a flying start thanks to a fine team goal as Fernandes released Alejandro Garnacho down the right and his cross picked out Ugarte to slot in just his second goal since joining the English giants from Paris Saint-Germain.

Amorim’s decision to restore Andre Onana in goal was under scrutiny. The Cameroonian had been dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle after two costly errors that led to both Lyon’s goals in last week’s 2-2 first leg draw.

Those mistakes came after a war of words with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who labelled him “one of the worst goalkeepers in United’s history”.

The 29-year-old rewarded his manager’s faith with a couple of important stops to prevent Lyon levelling through Paul Akouokou and Rayan Cherki.

At the other end, a United side that have often looked laboured and lacking in ideas all season, suddenly clicked into gear in the first 45 minutes.

United doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Maguire’s long ball was expertly controlled by Diogo Dalot, who then fired in off the inside of the post.

Garnacho should have killed the tie off within minutes of the restart for the second half when he shot straight at Lucas Perri with Fernandes begging for a pass for a tap in.

But the defensive deficiencies and mental fragility of Amorim’s side were exposed in a collapse that threatened to cap a miserable campaign.

Alexandre Lacazette flicked on Moussa Niakhate’s header and Corentin Tolisso swooped to head in and give the visitors a lifeline.

Nicolas Tagliafico then prodded in at the back post despite Onana’s attempt to scoop it off the line.

Just as Lyon were in the ascendency Tolisso gave them a mountain to climb again with a soft second yellow for a trip on Casemiro.

Yet, it did not initially matter as Cherki confirmed his status as one of Europe’s rising stars with a powerful drive that left Onana motionless.

Lyon’s other prized asset, Malick Fofana, was then chopped down by Luke Shaw inside the area and Lacazette confidently dispatched the resulting spot-kick.

Another penalty at the other end, though, kickstarted the fightback as Fernandes fired home after a VAR review for a foul on Casemiro.

Substitute Mainoo showed why he had been thrust in an unfamiliar forward role with a composed finish to level on 120 minutes.

Barely 60 seconds later Maguire completed the comeback with a towering header at the back post.

“In this moment it is difficult to believe what has just happened,” said Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca.

It is the first time ever in European competition that five goals have been scored in extra-time.

TOTTENHAM’S NEXT OPPONENT CONFIRMED

Tottenham, struggling in the Premier League, beat 2022 Europa League winners Frankfurt 1-0 on the night in Germany to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Dominic Solanke scored the only goal of the game, netting a penalty two minutes before the break after James Maddison was clattered by home goalkeeper Kaua Santos.

“Our fans have been through a tough time. Hopefully this gives them something to look forward to,” said coach Ange Postecoglou of his team’s victory.

It is Tottenham’s first European semi-final since their run to the Champions League final in 2019, and they will play Bodo/Glimt in the last four.

The Norwegians beat Lazio 3-2 on penalties in Rome after another remarkable tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.

Lazio needed to overturn a 2-0 defeat in last week’s first leg and went ahead on the night through Taty Castellanos before a Tijani Noslin goal deep in injury time levelled the tie on aggregate and forced extra time.

Boulaye Dia then headed Lazio into the lead in the 100th minute, only for Andreas Helmersen to pull it back to 3-1 on the night and even up the tie again.

He was then sent off, but Bodo/Glimt won the shoot-out when Castellanos became the third Lazio player to fail from the spot. They are the first Norwegian side to reach a European semi-final.

ATHLETIC PROGRESS AFTER RANGERS WIN

In Bilbao, Athletic beat Rangers 2-0 to progress to the last four following a goalless draw in the first leg in Glasgow.

Athletic went ahead on the night, and in the tie, in first-half stoppage time when Oihan Sancet converted a penalty after Maroan Sannadi was fouled in the box by John Souttar.

Nicolas Raskin struck the post for Rangers early in the second half before Athletic secured the victory, and their qualification, when Nico Williams headed in a cross by Oscar De Marcos.

The Basque club are determined to go all the way to the final which will be played in their San Mames stadium on May 21.