In a thrilling Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Groupama Stadium, Lyon and Manchester United played out a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Andre Onana’s costly mistakes overshadowing an otherwise competitive display from the Red Devils. The tie remains finely poised ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
The match began with intensity, as both sides traded early chances. Lyon struck first in the 25th minute through Thiago Almada, capitalizing on a glaring error from United’s goalkeeper. Onana misjudged a free kick, allowing the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net, silencing the traveling United supporters. The Cameroonian’s blunder came under scrutiny, especially after pre-match comments from Lyon’s Nemanja Matic, who had labeled him “one of United’s worst-ever goalkeepers.”
United responded resiliently, with young defender Leny Yoro rising highest to head home a pinpoint Bruno Fernandes cross in first-half stoppage time, leveling the score at 1-1. The goal showcased United’s growing threat from set pieces and Yoro’s composure, earning him praise as one of the standout performers.
The second half saw United assert greater control, with Fernandes pulling the strings in midfield and Noussair Mazraoui delivering a solid display at the back. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee appeared to have secured a vital away win when he nodded in another Fernandes delivery in the 88th minute, sparking wild celebrations among the United faithful. However, the joy was short-lived.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Onana faltered again, spilling a straightforward shot from Georges Mikautadze directly into the path of Rayan Cherki, who tapped in to salvage a draw for Lyon. The late equalizer left United players and manager Ruben Amorim deflated, with the Portuguese coach later admitting there was “nothing to say” to console his goalkeeper.
Despite the setback, Amorim remained optimistic, highlighting his team’s character and the contributions of Yoro and Zirkzee. “We showed we can compete, but we need to be sharper at key moments,” he said post-match. Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, introduced at half-time, also tested United’s defense but failed to convert a clear chance, a miss that could prove costly in the return leg.
Harry Maguire was a rock at the back, making crucial interceptions, while Fernandes’ creativity earned him plaudits as United’s standout performer. For Lyon, Cherki’s flair and Almada’s opportunism kept the French side in the contest, setting up an intriguing second leg.
The result leaves Manchester United with work to do at home, where they’ll need to overcome their inconsistency to progress. For Lyon, the late draw provides momentum, but they’ll face a stern test against a United side desperate to keep their Europa League hopes alive.
Player Ratings
Man Utd: Onana 4, Mazraoui 7, Maguire 7, Yoro 8, Dalot 6, Casemiro 6, Ugarte 6, Dorgu 6, Fernandes 8, Højlund 5, Garnacho 6. Subs: Zirkzee 7, Mount 6, Mainoo 6, Lindelöf 6.
Lyon: Perri 6, Maitland-Niles 6, Mata 6, Niakhaté 6, Tagliafico 6, Tolisso 7, Akouokou 6, Veretout 6, Cherki 8, Mikautadze 7, Almada 7. Subs: Lacazette 6.
What’s Next?
The second leg takes place on April 17 at Old Trafford, where United will aim to capitalize on home advantage. Before that, they face Newcastle in the Premier League, while Lyon return to Ligue 1 action. Both sides have everything to play for in what promises to be a tense conclusion to this quarter-final tie.