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Man Utd reach Europa League last four with Maguire's 121st minute winner

Man Utd reach Europa League last four with Maguire's 121st minute winner

Al Jazeera17-04-2025

Harry Maguire scored in the dying seconds of extra time to help Manchester United snatch a place in the Europa League semifinals with a sensational 7-6 aggregate victory over Olympique Lyonnais in their quarterfinal.
A thrilling second leg tie was taken into extra time after United threw away a two-goal lead on the night to be pegged back to 2-2 after 90 minutes, with goals from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette putting Lyon on the verge of the semifinals at a stunned Old Trafford on Thursday.
However, United made their numerical advantage, given to them after Corentin Tolisso's late red card in normal time, count. Maguire sent Old Trafford into delirium with his 121st-minute header, which sealed a 5-4 victory in the second leg.
It was the hosts who took an early lead, Manuel Ugarte slotting home 10 minutes in after a fine team move, before Diogo Dalot added a second just before the break to double the hosts' lead.
As the minutes ticked on, however, the nerves crept in, and two goals in six second-half minutes from Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico drew the match and left the tie level in a sensational fashion.
Tolisso's late sending off swung the momentum back in United's favour, but Cherki's fine strike and Lacazzette's coolly-taken penalty seemingly settled the exhilarating contest.
Fernandes's spot kick straight down the other end gave the home supporters hope of another dramatic finale, with Maguire having the final say, with United heading through to face Athletic Bilbao in the last four.
Tottenham also put its domestic problems to one side by sealing a place in the last four.
Dominic Solanke's first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and a 2-1 aggregate victory.
The win keeps alive the Spurs' hopes of salvaging a desperate campaign that has left them languishing in 15th place in the Premier League. The deep run in the second-tier competition has provided rare moments of optimism – and triumph would not only deliver a first trophy since 2008, but qualification for next year's Champions League.
Athletic Bilbao also advanced to the semifinals after a 2-0 win over the Rangers following a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
Lazio vs Bodo/Glimt also went to extra time. Lazio won 2-0 on the night and levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
Spurs needed the assistance of VAR when awarded a penalty for a foul by Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos on James Maddison.
Solanke fired down the middle for the decisive goal in the 43rd minute.
Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams were on target for Bilbao against the Rangers at San Mames.

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