Manchester United pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in their history, defeating Lyon 5-4 (7-6 on aggregate) in the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025. Below are the key highlights of this thrilling match, focusing on the incredible turnaround from 4-2 down in extra time, culminating in Harry Maguire’s decisive goal.

Match Context

• First Leg: The tie was level at 2-2 after a draw in Lyon, setting the stage for a high-stakes second leg.
• Stakes: With Manchester United languishing in 14th in the Premier League and out of domestic cups, the Europa League was their only chance for silverware and Champions League qualification.
• Lyon’s Form: Lyon were in strong form, having won four of their last five domestic matches, and proved a formidable opponent despite playing with 10 men for part of the match.

First Half Highlights

• Early Dominance: Manchester United started strongly, playing some of their best football under manager Ruben Amorim. The interplay between Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Manuel Ugarte kept Lyon under pressure.
• Goal 1 (Ugarte, 25’): United took the lead through Manuel Ugarte. Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho combined brilliantly, with Garnacho’s precise pass finding Ugarte, who finished clinically with his left foot to make it 1-0 (3-2 on aggregate).
• Goal 2 (Dalot, 45’): Just before halftime, Harry Maguire played a superb 70-yard diagonal pass to Diogo Dalot. The wing-back shrugged off Nicolas Tagliafico and angled a low shot past Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri, doubling United’s lead to 2-0 (4-2 on aggregate).
• Near Misses: Bruno Fernandes nearly scored a spectacular volley, hitting the crossbar, while Garnacho was denied by Perri’s acrobatic save after a dazzling run.

Second Half Highlights

• Lyon’s Fightback: Lyon roared back after halftime, capitalizing on United’s defensive lapses.
• Goal 3 (Tolisso, 71’): Lyon reduced the deficit when Alexandre Lacazette flicked on a free-kick, and Corentin Tolisso headed home from six yards, making it 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate).
• Goal 4 (Tagliafico, 77’): Lyon equalized as Tagliafico directed a shot over the line before Andre Onana could react, leveling the score at 2-2 (4-4 on aggregate). United were rocked, and the match headed to extra time.
• Tolisso Red Card (89’): Lyon’s hopes took a blow when Tolisso received a second yellow card for tripping Leny Yoro, reducing Lyon to 10 men.

Extra Time Highlights

• Lyon Take the Lead: Despite their numerical disadvantage, Lyon stunned United in extra time.
• Goal 5 (Cherki, 105’): Substitute Malick Fofana caused problems, setting up Rayan Cherki, who drilled a low shot past Onana to give Lyon a 3-2 lead (5-4 on aggregate).
• Goal 6 (Lacazette, 109’): Luke Shaw fouled Fofana in the box, and Lacazette converted the penalty, putting Lyon 4-2 up (6-4 on aggregate). Lyon celebrated as if the tie was over, but United had other plans.
• United’s Remarkable Comeback:
  • Goal 7 (Fernandes, 114’): A VAR review awarded United a penalty after a foul on Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted it home, reducing the deficit to 4-3 (6-5 on aggregate) and reigniting hope.
  • Goal 8 (Mainoo, 120’): Substitute Kobbie Mainoo, deployed as an emergency striker, showed incredible composure. He received a pass from Casemiro, chopped inside Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and curled a powerful shot into the bottom right, leveling the score at 4-4 (6-6 on aggregate). Old Trafford erupted.
  • Goal 9 (Maguire, 120+1’): In the dying seconds, Casemiro crossed from the left, and Harry Maguire, pushed up front as a last resort, rose at the far post to head the ball across the face of goal and into the bottom left. The goal sparked pandemonium, sealing a 5-4 win (7-6 on aggregate) and sending United to the semi-finals. VAR checked for a potential shove by Maguire, but the goal stood.

Key Moments and Reactions

• Maguire’s Heroics: Harry Maguire, often criticized, became the unlikely hero. Manager Ruben Amorim revealed the tactical decision to push Maguire forward: “We tried to put Harry Maguire up front because he’s the only guy who can score a goal with his head.”
• Mainoo’s Composure: Kobbie Mainoo, back from injury, delivered a moment of magic. He said, “When the ball drops in there, a yard feels like a mile… you’ve just got to stay as calm as you can and slot it.”
• Amorim’s Inspiration: Amorim drew inspiration from United’s 1999 Champions League final comeback, saying, “I was watching again the 1999 commentary… at 4-2 you think it’s over, but here it’s never over.”
• Lyon’s Collapse: Lyon’s celebrations after Lacazette’s penalty proved premature. Their manager, Paulo Fonseca, was left stunned as United scored three goals in seven minutes.
• Old Trafford Atmosphere: The comeback rekindled memories of United’s glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson. Fans who had left the stadium returned, and the roar after Maguire’s goal was described as “the best sound in the world” by Amorim.

Outcome

• Semi-Final Opponent: Manchester United advanced to face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals on May 1 and May 8, 2025, with a potential final in Bilbao.
• Significance: The victory kept United’s season alive, offering a chance for silverware and Champions League qualification, potentially worth £100m in revenue.