Manchester United pull off historic extra-time comeback against Lyon to reach Europe League semis

Manchester United pulled off one of their most dramatic European comebacks ever, scoring twice in the final minute of extra time to beat 10-man Lyon at Old Trafford, turning a 4-2 deficit into an unforgettable 5-4 aggregate win.

United began the game confident and took the lead in the 10th minute with a beautifully constructed team move. Bruno Fernandes picked out Alejandro Garnacho on the wing, and the young Argentine showed great technique and composure before slipping a pass to Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder finished coolly to make it 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate. Just before half-time, United doubled their lead. Diogo Dalot received a brilliant long pass from Harry Maguire and unleashed a powerful diagonal shot into the far corner. Although VAR reviewed the play for a possible offside, the goal was upheld, giving United a 2-0 lead at the break and a commanding 5-2 advantage overall.

However, Lyon, bolstered by their experience and determination, came roaring back in the final third of the match. In the 71st minute, Alexandre Lacazette nodded down a cross for Corentin Tolisso, who volleyed home to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Just seven minutes later, Ainsley Maitland-Niles found Nicolás Tagliafico, who scored to level the match at 2-2 and bring the aggregate to 5-5. The momentum seemed to shift dramatically, and Lyon’s resilience only grew stronger after Tolisso received a second yellow card in the 89th minute, leaving the French side with ten men.

In extra time, the visitors shocked Old Trafford when Rayan Cherki scored in the 105th minute with a low, clinical strike following a defensive mix-up. Just three minutes later, Luke Shaw committed a costly foul on Youssouf Fofana in the box, and Lacazette converted the resulting penalty to put Lyon 4-2 ahead in the match and 6-5 on aggregate.

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Up from the back, you know the rest…#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/wYGM74Vc8h

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 17, 2025

But United weren’t done. In the 114th minute, Thiago Almada brought down Casemiro in the box. After a VAR check, a penalty was awarded and Bruno Fernandes calmly stepped up to make it 4-3. As the crowd roared them on, United equalized again in the 120th minute when teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo showed remarkable composure to curl a shot into the corner of the net for 4-4 (6-6 on aggregate). In an ending worthy of a Hollywood script, Harry Maguire – thrown forward as a makeshift striker – rose highest to meet a lofted ball from Casemiro and scored the winner less than a minute later, sealing a 5-4 win and sending Old Trafford into absolute bedlam.