Julius OkorieStoppage time (120+1’)goal, delivered by Harry Maguire, did not only fire Manchester United into the semi-finals of the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League, but ended what would have been a night of endless goal harvest.
The fierce quarter-finals last leg encounter between Man United and Lyon at the Old Trafford Thursday night, turned out to be ding dong affair as both teams attempted to out score each other in eventual extra time nine goals thriller.The result eventually saw the host progress on a 7-6 aggregate.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAfter a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Manchester United approached the second leg with determination and urgency. They took the lead early on when Manuel Ugarte found the back of the net in the 10th minute, injecting a wave of optimism among the home fans.
Just before halftime, Diogo Dalot doubled United’s advantage, scoring in injury time (45+1’) to extend the aggregate score to 4-2, sending the crowd into jubilation, while raising the hope of emerging victorious on the night.
However, Lyon quickly responded. In a dramatic turn of events, Corentin Tolisso and Nicolás Tagliafico scored in rapid succession (71’ and 77’), momentarily flipping the match on its head. With the score at 4-4 on the night, Lyon regained a say in the tie, putting an immense amount of pressure on United.
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The match’s intensity was further intensified by Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso receiving a red card in the 89th minute, leaving his team a man down a few minutes to extra time.
Fear gripped United during extra time when Lyon’s Rayan Cherki scored in the 104th minute, putting United on the ropes. Just five minutes later, Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty (109’) that appeared to seal United’s fate, making it 6-4 on aggregate. The pressure was palpable, with United seemingly on the brink of elimination.
Just when it looked like all hope was lost, United received a lifeline. In the 114th minute, Bruno Fernandes displayed remarkable composure to convert a penalty, narrowing the deficit to 6-5.
Then, dramatically, young talent Kobbie Mainoo struck in the dying moments of the match (120’), levelling the aggregate score at 6-6 and sending the contest into a tense finish, and leaving ‘we die here scenerio not only on the pitch of play but among the fans who have been left at this time on the edges of their seats.
With penalties and its associated agony and uncertainty looming, the magic moment came at stoppage time (120+1’) Harry Maguire delivered what turned out to be a golden header that handed United a final 5-4 victory on the night and sealing a 7-6 aggregate triumph.
The Victory has pitched United against Athletic Bilbao who enjoyed a cruise edging out Scottish side Rangers after a 2-0 win in Bilbao. The first leg had ended goalless.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
