Europa League Thriller: Manchester United Held to a 2-2 Draw by Lyon
Manchester United were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The game, held at the Groupama Stadium in France, delivered a rollercoaster of emotions for both sets of fans.
Match Summary
Lyon opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Thiago Almada, whose free-kick sailed into the net after United goalkeeper André Onana misjudged the flight of the ball. Despite this early setback, United equalized in first-half stoppage time through 18-year-old Leny Yoro, who scored his first goal for the club with a powerful header.
In the 88th minute, Joshua Zirkzee thought he had won the match for United with a late header assisted by captain Bruno Fernandes. However, a costly error by Onana in stoppage time allowed Rayan Cherki to grab a dramatic equalizer for Lyon, leaving the tie wide open ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
Onana Under Fire
United’s goalkeeper André Onana faced heavy criticism after being at fault for both of Lyon’s goals. His performance sparked debate among fans and pundits, especially following his heated pre-match exchange with Lyon’s Nemanja Matic. Onana defended his record at United, highlighting his trophy success compared to Matic’s time at the club.
Despite the backlash, United manager Ruben Amorim stood by his goalkeeper, stating, “We win and lose as a team. Onana is our number one, and he will remain so.”
What’s Next?
With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, all eyes will now turn to Old Trafford for the second leg of this exciting quarter-final. Can Manchester United finish the job at home and keep their Europa League dreams alive?
