Manchester United pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in European football history, defeating Lyon 5-4 after extra-time, 7-6 on aggregate, to reach the Europa League semi-finals, despite being two goals down with just seven minutes left in extra time.
With their season hanging by a thread, United looked all but out when Lyon overturned a 2-0 deficit to lead 4-2 at Old Trafford, despite going down to 10 men after captain Corentin Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute.
But in true United fashion, a late flurry saw Bruno Fernandes convert a penalty, Kobbie Mainoo fire home a crucial equaliser, and Harry Maguire head in the winner to seal an extraordinary turnaround.
The win sets up a semi-final showdown with Athletic Bilbao and keeps alive United’s hopes of salvaging their season with a European trophy and with it, qualification for next season’s Champions League. Sitting 14th in the Premier League, a loss would have all but ended their European ambitions.
United had taken early control with first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot.
Ugarte opened the scoring after a fine team move involving Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, before Dalot doubled the advantage just before the break, latching onto Maguire’s long ball and finishing off the inside of the post.
But Lyon roared back in the second half. Goals from Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico in quick succession brought the tie level, exposing the defensive lapses and fragility that have plagued United all season.
Tolisso’s second yellow card in the 89th minute appeared to hand United a lifeline, but the 10-man visitors struck twice in extra time with a stunning effort from Rayan Cherki and a penalty from Alexandre Lacazette, to put Lyon back in front on aggregate.
