Manchester United were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie.
While Man United struggled to find their groove for much of the game, Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to seemingly hand United the victory, only for a crucial mistake by Andre Onana to allow the hosts to draw level at the death.
With an unchanged team following the Manchester derby, all of the pressure was on the shoulders of manager Ruben Amorim, with the Europa League not only being his last opportunity at winning silverware this campaign but also the club’s only shot at playing European football next season.
United looked confident in the early minutes, with Lyon appearing shaky on the ball as they struggled to string together any threatening build-up play.
Diogo Dalot launched a threatening counter-attack five minutes in, passing to Alejandro Garnacho on the wing, who was unceremoniously fouled. Bruno Fernandes sent a threatening free-kick into the box, only for the home side’s defence to clear for a corner.
After 10 minutes of play, he visitors’ low block appeared to be effective, with Lyon struggling to find free players to pass to as they sought to advance up the field. On the flip side, however, United’s midfield partnership of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro seemed to be doing little in the way of helping the team establish possession.
18 minutes in, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu played an opportune pass to Rasmus Hojlund in the centre of the box, only for the striker to completely miscue his shot. It was a poor attempt given how close the Dane was to the goal.
Garnacho threaded a through ball to Fernandes in the middle, whose shot was deflected over the crossbar. While Fernandes’ corner kick failed to find a teammate, the ball bounced in the pathway of Casemiro, who attempted a daring overhead kick which was saved by the goalkeeper.
25 minutes in, the hosts found a breakthrough. A well-executed free-kick by Thiago Almada bounced into the ground and over the gloves of Andre Onana as it headed into the back of the net. It was a shambolic moment for Onana, who should have easily saved what was a soft shot by any standard.
Half an hour in, Dalot received a yellow card for a dangerous sliding tackle on Nicolás Tagliafico.
In the 36th minute, Dalot sent a threatening cross to Dorgu, who mistimed his kick, earning a corner after his follow-up hit a defender. While a decent corner, the goalkeeper was able to get a glove to the incoming cross.
Two minutes into four minutes of added time, Noussair Mazraoui did well to send the ball out for a corner, bringing an end to a rare yet threatening Lyon attack.
With seconds to go until the half-time whistle, Garnacho was fouled on the wing, handing a free-kick to United. Fernandes whipped in a soaring cross, which bounced off a defender to Ugarte. While Ugarte’s shot was blocked, Leny Yoro headed in the rebound, drawing United level.
1-1, the score was as United could breathe a sigh of relief heading into the break. Still, some intervention on the part of Amorim was needed in order to galvanise his team for the second half.
Following a slow start to the second half, Ugarte received a yellow card for a shove on Georges Mikautadze. Straight afterwards, Lyon missed a prime chance when Mikautadze lobbed a through ball to Alexander Lacazette in the box, who blasted his volley wide.
With just under 30 minutes to play. Joshua Zirkzee came on to replace Hojlund.
Soon after, the hosts came close to scoring yet again when Corentin Tolisso dribbled past Mazraoui on the edge of the box to get a clear sight of goal. Despite being directly in front of the goal, the midfielder fired his shot into the gloves of Onana.
With little under 18 minutes left to play, Ugarte came off for Mason Mount – a wise substitution given that Ugarte had already been booked.
Tempers started to fly after Mount was fouled by Tagliafico, with Mount immediately confronting the Lyon full-back. Both players received yellow cards for igniting a scuffle between the two sides.
Moments after the restart, Dorgu thumped a lethal cross toward Garnacho, whose shot from metres away from the goalline was tipped over the top by goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
In the 83rd minute, Victor Lindelof came on for Maguire while Kobbie Mainoo made his first appearance after being sidelined for nine weeks, replacing Garnacho.
Just two minutes from time, Zirkzee emerged as United’s hero. The visitors launched a rapid counter, with Fernandes launching a cross to Zirkzee, who sprinted into the box from the left flank. The forward steered his header past the keeper to send the away fans into a frenzy.
Five minutes of stoppage time were announced, with United showing no signs of slowing down as they continued pressing the home side’s defence.
Seconds before full time, disaster struck as Onana parried a shot from Almada. The rebound fell to Rayan Cherki, who belted in an equaliser.
Straight after the restart, the referee blew the final whistle. It was a shocking end to the match for United, who were within touching distance of victory.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Fernandes, Hojlund, Dorgu, Yoro, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Ugarte
Subs: Zirkzee, Mount, Lindelof, Mainoo
Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
