Harry Maguire seals stunning Manchester United Europa League comeback

Maguire’s dramatic extra-time winner sends Manchester United into Europa League semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao.

Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024–25 quarter-final second leg match against Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on April 17, 2025. Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Manchester United's Europa League journey took another legendary twist on Thursday night as Harry Maguire's Europa League winner capped a remarkable extra-time comeback against Lyon at Old Trafford. The defender's towering header sealed a 5-4 win on the night and a 7-6 aggregate triumph, securing their place in the semi-finals against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.

United, who drew 2-2 in last week's first leg in France, looked on course for a routine win early on after a brilliant start. Ten minutes in, Manuel Ugarte calmly finished off a cutback from Alejandro Garnacho to open the scoring. That goal was followed by Diogo Dalot’s powerful strike in first-half injury time, doubling United’s lead and seemingly ending the contest.

But Lyon had other ideas. Corentin Tolisso’s 71st-minute header gave the French side renewed belief, and when Nicolas Tagliafico’s shot squirmed past Andre Onana in the 78th minute, Lyon had drawn level again in a contest that refused to follow any script.

As tension built inside Old Trafford, Lyon were reduced to ten men in the dying moments of normal time after Tolisso received a second yellow card. Yet, against the odds, they surged ahead in extra time.

Rayan Cherki’s clinical finish in the 105th minute, following a slaloming run from Malick Fofana, silenced the home crowd. And when Alexandre Lacazette coolly converted a penalty five minutes into the second half of extra time—awarded after Luke Shaw fouled Fofana—Lyon led 4-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. The away section erupted in jubilation.

However, Manchester United’s response was immediate and furious.

Just moments after the restart, VAR intervened following a foul on Casemiro in the Lyon box. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and smashed home the penalty, reigniting United’s hopes. Then, in the 120th minute, Kobbie Mainoo, the teenage sensation, produced a composed finish to level the aggregate score once more, sending the match towards a potential penalty shootout.

But there was still time for one final, unforgettable moment.

With Lyon clinging on, Casemiro delivered a looping cross from the right flank. Rising above a sea of defenders, Harry Maguire's header goal thundered into the back of the net. The stadium erupted. Players, staff, and fans were thrown into a frenzy. It was a moment reminiscent of Manchester United’s greatest European nights—a comeback to remember, with Maguire emerging as the unlikely hero.

“It was a great night,” said United coach Ruben Amorim. “Here, everything is possible—you feel the environment. At 4-3, after Bruno’s penalty, we felt we could change the game.”

United will now prepare for their first European semi-final since 2021, when they lost the Europa League final on penalties to Villarreal. This time, they’ll face Athletic Bilbao, who are riding high after a strong performance of their own.

Athletic eliminate Rangers to set up clash with United

Rangers' Connor Barron in action during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match against Athletic Club at Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain, on April 17, 2025. Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS

Over in Spain, Athletic Bilbao booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Rangers, progressing 2-0 on aggregate. After a goalless first leg in Glasgow, Oihan Sancet opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before halftime, following a foul by John Souttar on Maroan Sannadi.

Rangers came close to pulling one back early in the second half, with Nicolas Raskin rattling the post. But the Scottish side’s hopes were extinguished when Nico Williams met a cross from Oscar De Marcos with a bullet header to double Athletic’s lead.

The Basque club are dreaming of lifting the trophy in front of their home fans, with the final set to take place at San Mames on May 21. For United, the trip to Bilbao promises to be a true test of their European ambitions.

Tottenham edge Frankfurt to reach first European semi-final since 2019

Tottenham Hotspur forward Dominic Solanke and Eintracht Frankfurt defender Tuta battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg match in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on April 17, 2025. Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP

In Germany, Tottenham Hotspur managed to overcome Europa League specialists Eintracht Frankfurt with a narrow 1-0 win, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory. Spurs, who have faced criticism for inconsistent performances in the Premier League, showed grit and composure on the European stage.

The only goal of the game came just before halftime when James Maddison was brought down in the box by Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos. Dominic Solanke stepped up and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty to give Tottenham the lead.

“It’s been a tough time for our fans,” said manager Ange Postecoglou. “Hopefully this gives them something to look forward to.”

The North London club will now face Bodo/Glimt, the surprise package of this season’s competition.

Bodo/Glimt stun Lazio in dramatic penalty shoot-out

Bodo/Glimt players celebrate during the penalty shootout in the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match against SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, on April 17, 2025. Photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP

In one of the most thrilling ties of the round, Bodo/Glimt became the first Norwegian team ever to reach a European semi-final after eliminating Lazio in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out.

After losing 2-0 in the first leg, Lazio launched a ferocious comeback at the Stadio Olimpico. Taty Castellanos opened the scoring, and then, in the dying moments of added time, Tijani Noslin struck to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

Extra time saw more chaos. Boulaye Dia’s header made it 3-2 to Lazio on the night, but Bodo/Glimt immediately responded through Andreas Helmersen to level the tie again. Helmersen was later sent off, leaving the visitors a man down for the remainder of extra time.

In the shoot-out, Bodo/Glimt held their nerve while Lazio faltered. Castellanos, who had given Lazio hope early on, missed the decisive penalty to hand the Norwegian side a famous victory.

Bodo/Glimt’s extraordinary run continues, and they will now face Tottenham for a place in the final—a scenario few could have predicted at the start of the campaign.

As the Europa League heads into its final stages, the drama has reached new heights. For Manchester United, Harry Maguire’s Europa League winner will be remembered as one of the most dramatic goals in the club’s recent European history. For Tottenham and Bodo/Glimt, the path to European glory is still open. And for Athletic Bilbao, the chance to lift the trophy on home soil beckons. The stage is set for a spectacular finish to one of the most unpredictable Europa League seasons in memory.