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Man Utd vs Lyon LIVE: Mainoo and Maguire’s late goals send Ruben Amorim’s men into Europa League semi-finals

Manchester United 5-4 Lyon (7-6 agg): Ruben Amorim’s men make it through thrilling nine-goal contest

Richard Jolly
at Old Trafford
,Michael Jones
Friday 18 April 2025 09:32 BST
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'A reflection of Manchester United's season' - Amorim after heavy Newcastle defeat

Manchester United are into the semi-finals of the European League after the most thrilling clash at Old Trafford ended 5-4 in their favour with plenty of late drama.

The hosts took control of the match in the first half and dominated possession with Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot giving Ruben Amorim’s men a two-goal advantage.

Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca made changes that worked perfectly. Corentin Tolisso pulled one back before Nicolas Tagliafico equalised for the visitors. Tolisso was dismissed late in the 90 minutes and the match went to extra-time.

Lyon were the better team even with 10-men. Rayan Cherki slotted the French side ahead and Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot to leave United trailing by two and on the brink of elimination.

But there was a twist to come. Casemiro won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes slotted home before Kobbie Mainoo, playing as striker, was calm and composed to net an equaliser in the 120th minute. Less than a minute later and Harry Maguire proved to be the match winner with a headed effort that sent Old Trafford wild.

Relive the latest from Old Trafford with our live blog below:

Maguire 'the only guy that can score with his head' - Amorim

On the substitutions: “We tried to put Harry Maguire, because he’s the only guy that can score a goal with his head.

“Then Kobbie Mainoo has a lack of pace right now because of his injury. [But] he’s really good in tight spaces and he has the ability to do that kind of goal. We tried it and sometimes it works.

“Playing Premier League and European games is really hard without a full squad.

“We have a lot to improve, but the character is there.”

Flo Clifford17 April 2025 23:11

'Everything is possible' at Old Trafford - Ruben Amorim

“Was fun,” a beaming but bewildered Ruben Amorim says on TNT Sports.

“No words. It was a great night, the team were tired, and then 4-2 with one more player, then you think it’s over, but here it’s never over. I felt that here, everything is possible. After 4-3, the penalty from Bruno, you felt you can change the game.”

Flo Clifford17 April 2025 23:06

'Amazing comeback' - Kobbie Mainoo

“It was an amazing comeback,” 120th-minute equaliser Kobbie Mainoo tells TNT Sports. “I tried to bring energy and tried to contribute.”

On his goal: “When then ball drops in the box, a yard feels like a mile. You just try and stay as calm as you can and slot it in.”

Flo Clifford17 April 2025 23:01

'We showed great spirit' - Harry Maguire

Matchwinner Harry Maguire tells TNT Sports, “We made really hard work of it. We had full control – we had chances for the third and they scored out of nowhere.

“To go 4-2 down in extra against 10 men is nowhere near good enough.

“They play great football, but we dug in and showed great spirit.”

Flo Clifford17 April 2025 22:56

Extra-time full-time! Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (7-6 agg)

128 mins: That’s the end of the game.

What have we just witnessed. Manchester United were out, they were two goals behind with 15 minutes to play.

They’ve won the match without needing penalties.

Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire with late goals to send United through after an unbelievably thrilling contest.

Words cannot describe what has happened at Old Trafford tonight.

A great European night in every sense.

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:44

ET Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (7-6 agg)

125 mins: Time is almost up.

Lyon punt the ball up the pitch and look for yet another comeback.

Is there one?

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:42

ET GOAL! Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (7-6 agg) - Harry Maguire, 121'

Winner?!

Harry Maguire meets a cross from the left and nods it past Lucas Perri.

Manchester United are back in front and there’s only a few minutes left!

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:38

ET Man Utd 4-4 Lyon (6-6 agg)

120 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play....

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:37

ET GOAL! Man Utd 4-4 Lyon (6-6 agg) - Kobbie Mainoo, 120'

Equaliser!

Kobbie Mainoo gets Manchester United back on level terms.

What a game this is!

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:36

Man Utd 3-4 Lyon (5-6 agg)

117 mins: Time is running out and United are sending crosses into the box.

Fernandes shoots from range but but scuffs the effort wide of the target.

Lucas Perri takes his time with the restart and annoys the home fans.

Mike Jones17 April 2025 22:35

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