Here’s a rewritten version of the Manchester United vs. Lyon Europa League match report, maintaining a professional journalistic style and incorporating details Harry Maguire scored a dramatic winner deep into extra time as Manchester United produced an astonishing comeback to beat 10-man Lyon 5-4 in a chaotic Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday. The victory secured a 7-6 aggregate win and a place in the semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao.
United appeared to be cruising towards the last four after goals from Manuel Ugarte (10th minute) and Diogo Dalot (45’+1′) gave them a 2-0 lead on the night and a 4-2 aggregate advantage.
However, Lyon staged a remarkable fightback in the final 20 minutes of normal time. Corentin Tolisso headed home in the 71st minute, and Nicolás Tagliafico bundled in an equalizer just six minutes later to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate. Lyon’s momentum seemed halted when Tolisso received a second yellow card in the 89th minute, forcing the match into extra time.
Despite being down to 10 men, the French side stunned Old Trafford by taking the lead in extra time. Rayan Cherki scored with a fine strike in the 104th minute, before Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty (109th minute) after a foul by Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw, putting Lyon 4-2 ahead on the night and 6-4 up on aggregate.
With elimination looming, United were handed a lifeline when a VAR review awarded a penalty for a foul on Casemiro, which Bruno Fernandes calmly converted in the 114th minute. The drama escalated further in the 120th minute when substitute Kobbie Mainoo curled home a superb equalizer to make it 4-4 (6-6 aggregate).
Incredibly, there was still time for one final twist. In the first minute of stoppage time at the end of extra time, Casemiro floated a cross towards Maguire, who had been pushed into a centre-forward role, and the defender powered a header into the net to spark pandemonium and seal an unforgettable victory.
The first nine-goal game in Europa League history keeps United’s hopes of silverware and Champions League qualification alive. They will now face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals. News also emerged after the match that defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Victor Lindelöf had left Old Trafford during the game to attend separate, urgent family matters.
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