Manchester United kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Lyon at Old Trafford, securing a 7-6 aggregate win in a wild Europa League quarter-final clash.
United looked to be in total control after first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot put them 2-0 up on the night. Lyon, still reeling from a heavy 4-1 loss to Newcastle over the weekend, appeared off the pace—but the tide turned dramatically in the second half.
Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso pulled one back with a close-range header before Nicolas Tagliafico scrambled home a second to level the score on the night. Tolisso was later dismissed for a second yellow card, but United failed to make their extra man count.
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Moments later, substitute Malick Fofana led a lightning counter-attack and teed up Rayan Cherki, who rifled a low strike past Andre Onana—adding to the goal he scored in the first leg’s 2-2 draw. Fofana then won a penalty after a tangle with Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro, which Alexandre Lacazette coolly converted to make it 4-2 with just ten minutes to play.
Stunned into silence, Old Trafford then erupted as Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the spot after Casemiro was fouled. Moments later, teenager Kobbie Mainoo bent in a superb equaliser before Harry Maguire, pushed up front in desperation, nodded in Casemiro’s lofted cross for the dramatic winner.
The final whistle blew amid scenes of euphoria, capping off a remarkable comeback and keeping United’s European dreams alive.
