April 11, 2025
- Photo
Manchester United’s Casemiro (centre), Nicolas Tagliafico (second left) and Moussa Niakhate react as Lyon’s Thiago Almada (not in picture) heads the ball to score the opening goal during the Europa League first-leg quarter-final football match at Groupama Stadium in Decines, Lyon, France on Thursday. The game ended 2-2.
Lyon scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 home draw against Manchester United in a Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.
United captain Bruno Fernandes had sent a precise cross for substitute Joshua Zirkzee to head what seemed to be the winner in the 88th minute.
But Rayan Cherki hit back for Lyon when he pounced on a rebound.
Down 1-0, Leny Yoro equalised for United in first-half stoppage time with a header after goalkeeper Lucas Perri had cleared a Fernandes free kick.
Thiago Almada put the hosts ahead with a curling free kick from the left that looked like it was a cross, but no one was able to connect and the ball eluded goalkeeper Andre Onana to go in at the far post.
United is the only unbeaten in the competition this season.
HOME DRAW
Tottenham, also bidding to rescue a dismal Premier League campaign, hit back to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tottenham went 1-0 down when Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike scored following a fast counterattack in the sixth minute.
The hosts then drew level with a goal from Pedro Porro in the 26th, after he met a cross from James Maddison.
Ulrik Saltnes struck twice as Bodo/Glimt stunned Lazio 2-0 in tough conditions just inside the Arctic Circle.
In a game played on an artificial pitch, Saltnes scored early in the second half with a low shot after Ole Didrik Blomberg fed him inside the area.
The midfielder then added his second goal by lobbing the ball over Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, with Alessio Romagnoli’s clearance coming after it crossed the line.
Rangers and Athletic Bilbao shared a goalless draw in Glasgow. All the second legs are next week.
CHELSEA PERFECT
Chelsea are still cruising in the Europa Conference League after keeping their perfect record with a 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw.
Tyrique George netted the first in the 49th on a rebound, his first goal for the club, while second-half substitute Noni Madueke scored with a left-foot shot eight minutes later. It could have been three, but Christopher Nkunku had his spot kick saved.
Madueke made it 3-0 from close range in the 74th.
– AP