By KBC Associate 
Manchester United reached the semi-finals of the Europa League after a breathtaking second-leg encounter Lyon at Old Trafford that saw the hosts score three goals in the last seven minutes of extra time.
Harry Maguire sent the home fans into pandemonium as he headed the winning goal in the 121st minute as the Red Devils emerged 5-4 winners on the night and 7-6 on aggregate.
It was a contest that at times defied belief. Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot had given United a comfortable advantage going into half-time but the French visitors fought back after the break and drew level through Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico.
With the hosts on the ropes, Tolisso was given his marching orders late on in normal time before Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty gave the Ligue 1 side a seemingly unassailable lead in extra time.
However, a Bruno Fernandes spot-kick gave United hope of a comeback before Kobbie Mainoo made it a reality six minutes later. Then, as the tie look destined for a penalty shootout, Maguire popped up with the winner, sparking wild scenes in the crowd.
United march on to the last four where they will face Athletic Bilbao.
Into the semi-finals!#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 17, 2025
A memorable evening at Old Trafford
The drama began just 10 minutes into the game when Noussair Mazraoui found Fernandes down the right.
The United captain pulled the ball back to Alejandro Garnacho, who in turn cut it back after beating two defenders and Ugarte confidently sidefooted home.
United had their tails up. Lyon were rattled. Lucas Perri saved well for the visitors after Casemiro’s curling effort looked destined for the bottom corner.
The French visitors had started slowly but they eventually grew into the game, with Paul Akouokou’s header drawing a smart save from Andre Onana.
The United shot-stopper, looking to redeem himself after tow costly errors in the first leg, was again called into action on the half-hour mark when Cherki danced past Casemiro and Leny Yoro, before hitting a low shot towards the bottom left but Onana was equal to it.
But just moments after the Lyon playmaker was denied a fine solo effort, Fernandes nearly scored a goal of the season contender when his sublime volley rattled the crossbar after watching Mazraoui’s long pass all the way over his shoulder and onto his boot.
The Portuguese player was beginning to purr, and he saw another great effort go close when his 25-yard strike sailed inches wide of the top corner.
Man United double their lead! 🔴
Harry Maguire’s precise pass is brought down and finished off brilliantly by Diogo Dalot 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/P8tdi30Xll
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Fernandes was looking the most likely to find the net for United but it was his compatriot Dalot who grabbed the second on the stroke of half-time when he spun and rifled the ball in off the post.
It was perhaps a little cliche to say that the next goal was huge. But United could – and perhaps should – have put the tie to bed five minutes after the restart.
Rasmus Hojlund sent Garnacho clear before the Argentinian charged into the box. He skipped past Clinton Mata but, one on one with Perri, could not apply the finish and the Lyon keeper beat away the effort.
Despite the miss, things were looking rosy for United. But that was soon to change on 71-minutes when Tolisso found the net with a header after the hosts failed to clear from a free-kick.
The mood suddenly changed. Comfort replaced by nerves. And less than 10 minutes later, Lyon drew level.
From a deep cross, former Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit a volley straight across the face of goal which was turned goalbound by Tagliafico.
Onana appeared to have clawed the ball out, but only into the path of another ex-Gunner, substitute Lacazette, who slammed home from close range.
But replays showed Tagliafico’s initial effort was over the line anyway.
WHAT IS HAPPENING!? 🤯
Man United concede two goals in five minutes and the tie is now level on aggregate!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2UZ3ubJQ18
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
As the game entered the final period of normal time, United were on the ropes. But Amorim’s side were given a boost when Tolisso received a second booking for what appeared to be an accidental trip on Yoro.
Extra time provided another twist in the tale. A player down, Lyon completed the comeback when Cherki lashed his team in front after his teammate Malick Fofana had slipped.
Fofana was again at the centre of the action in the second half as he was brought down by Luke Shaw in the box.
A penalty was awarded and dispatched by Lacazette to pile further misery onto Amorim’s men.
But United were not down and out. They converted a spot-kick of their own five minutes later courtesy of Fernandes.
Kobbie Mainoo then sent Old Trafford into raptures when he completed the hosts own comeback before Harry Maguire blew the roof off the place when he steered his header into the bottom corner to send his side through and his club’s fans home in delirium.
HARRY MAGUIRE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚨
Man United have completed the comeback ✅
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/mcNnClCikl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025