Late Drama and High Stakes: Lyon and Man United Serve Up Europa League Thriller
UEFA Europa League quarter-final April 10, 2025,
Lyon vs Manchester United: Europa League Showdown Ends in Dramatic 2-2 Draw
The Europa League quarter-final first leg between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United delivered an electrifying contest that ended in a 2-2 draw at the Groupama Stadium. With both teams eyeing European glory amid turbulent domestic campaigns, the match lived up to the expectations, featuring moments of brilliance, costly errors, and late drama that has set the stage perfectly for the return leg at Old Trafford.
Lyon struck first in the 25th minute through Thiago Almada, whose curling free-kick wrong-footed United goalkeeper André Onana and found its way into the net. Almada’s effort wasn't particularly venomous, but Onana’s misjudgment gifted Lyon the opener. The French side looked sharp in the early exchanges, buoyed by a passionate home crowd and the tactical guidance of manager Paulo Fonseca.
Manchester United responded late in the first half. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, young defender Leny Yoro headed in a Bruno Fernandes corner, leveling the score just before the break. Yoro’s goal came at a critical time, swinging momentum in United’s favor going into the second half.
The second half was more evenly contested, with both sides creating opportunities. United thought they had sealed a valuable away win in the 88th minute when Joshua Zirkzee slotted the ball home after a well-orchestrated counterattack. It was a cool finish from the Dutchman, who has emerged as a key player in United’s campaign. However, heartbreak followed for the visitors.
In the dying moments of the match, Lyon pushed forward relentlessly. In the 95th minute, Corentin Tolisso’s shot was parried by Onana, but only as far as Rayan Cherki, who tucked the rebound away with ease. Cherki’s equalizer sent the home crowd into a frenzy and left United with plenty to ponder ahead of the second leg.
Onana's performance once again came under scrutiny. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, who has had a rocky season, was criticized for both Lyon goals. Former United midfielder Nemanja Matic called him "one of the worst keepers the club has had," igniting a wave of debate among fans and pundits. Onana later defended himself on social media, citing recent personal issues, including his wife's traumatic mugging in Manchester, as a factor in his current mental state.
United boss Rúben Amorim faces increasing pressure, not just from results but also from injuries and squad instability. The team currently sits in 14th place in the Premier League, and the Europa League remains their only realistic path to European qualification next season. The blow was compounded when Zirkzee suffered a hamstring injury in their subsequent domestic fixture against Newcastle, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
On the other hand, Lyon's recent form under Fonseca has been promising. The Portuguese coach, despite serving a nine-month suspension in domestic competition for confronting a referee, has galvanized the squad, losing just once in their last nine outings. Lyon’s mix of youth and experience, combined with Fonseca’s attacking philosophy, makes them a serious contender for the Europa League title.
As both teams prepare for the decisive second leg at Old Trafford, the tie remains finely balanced. United will need to shake off their domestic woes and rediscover their defensive solidity, while Lyon will be confident in their ability to score away from home. With a semi-final place on the line, all eyes will be on Manchester for what promises to be another memorable European night.
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