The Europa League underwent a facelift before starting this season. Instead of the well -known group stage, the league phase was created and the teams competed as part of one collective table. Today, only four teams have been left on the battlefield. On Thursday, April 17, we met a set of semi -finalists of this edition.
All clear. Here are the semi -finalists of the Europa League
The first goal of Thursday evening scored Old Trafford. Manchester United, who a week ago drew at Groupama Stadium with Lyon 2: 2, he took the lead through the hit of Manuel Ugarte. Even before the break, a great play from Harry Maguire used Diogo Dalot and raised to 2: 0.
After changing sides, the hosts wasted a great chance to score the third goal. The unused situation of Alejandro Garnacho took revenge. Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas TagliaFico hit the net, leading to a draw – in the meeting and in the whole two -legged one. Even before the end of the basic game time, Corentin Tolisso received a red card. In extra time, the guests playing in weakness, they managed to defeat onana twice. Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette did this.
However, this was not the end of emotions in this meeting. In the 114th minute, the judge dictated a penalty kick for Manchester, and the eleven for the goal was converted by Bruno Fernandes, it was a turning moment. Manchester United threw himself into an attack and at the very end … he scored two goals! First, Kobbie Mainoo hit the net, and then Harry Maguire, whose goal provided the hosts of promotion.
For the team from the red part of Manchester, the Europa League was the last hope to participate in European cups next season and saving the ongoing, fatal season. Manchester United won the Europa League in 2017, defeating Ajax in the final. Four years later – in Gdańsk – he lost in penalties with Villarreal.
Ruben Amorim's team, wanting to play in the final of this year's struggle, will have to defeat another Spanish rival. Athletic Bilbao drew a week ago in Glasgow from Rangers 0: 0, but in the rematch he imposed his game conditions from the beginning. In the added time of the first half, Oihan Sancet used a penalty kick and gave the team Ernesto Valverde leading. In the 80th minute Nico Williams determined the 2: 0 result.
Athletic in the semi -final will have a double motivation to win. The final of this year's competition will take place at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao.
Lazio had a chance to become a second Roman club, which in the last five years will play in the final of the Europa League. Competitors From the Eternal City they had to make up for the losses from the first meeting against Bodo/Glimt, they began the renovation in the first half, when Valentin Castellanos scored. In the added time of the second half, Tijani Noslin caused extra time to resolve the two -legged two.
In the 100th minute Boulaye Dia gave high hopes to the Romans to promotion after extra time, Lazio led 3: 0. However, Bodo/Glimt made an unbelievable and equalized the state of two: 3: 3 after Andreas Helmersen's goal in the 109th minute. The hero of the Norwegian dominator later saw a red card and did not participate in the dramatic penalty shootout competition. Bodo/Glimt players turned out to be better in it, winning 3: 2. “Eleven” was not used by the heroes of Lazio from the regular game time, i.e. Castellanos and Noslin.
The English final is still possible in the final of the Europa League. All thanks to Tottenhamwho defeated the winner from 2022 in Frankfurt am Main – Eintracht. Dominic Solanke scored the only goal in the rematch.
Results of rematch matches 1/4 of the Europa League final:
- Manchester United 5: 4 Olympique Lyon (Ugarte '10, Dalot' 45+1, Fernandes' 114K, Mainoo '120, Maguire' 120+1 – Tolisso '71, Tagliafico' 77, Cherki '105, Lacazette' 109k)
- Athletic 2: 0 Rangers (Sancet '45+4K, Nico Williams' 80)
- Lazio 3: 1 Bodo/Glimt (Castellanos 30 ', Noslin' 90+3 ', Dia 100' – Helmersen 109 '. Penalties: 3: 2 for Bodo/Glimt)
- Eintracht Frankfurt 0: 1 Tottenham (Solanke 43 'k.)
Pairs of 1/2 final of the Europa League:
- Tottenham – Bodo/Glimt (May 1 in London, May 8 at Bodo)
- Athletic – Manchester United (May 1 in Bilbao, May 8 in Manchester)
The final will take place on May 21 at San Mames in Bilbao.