April 17, 2025, delivered a night of unforgettable UEFA Europa League action as the quarter-final second legs unfolded across Europe, serving up a potent cocktail of drama, late goals, red cards, and emotional triumphs. The final four teams have now emerged, setting the stage for a captivating semifinal showdown. Let's delve into the key moments and managerial insights that defined this electrifying night of football.
Manchester United's Incredible 5-4 Comeback Against Lyon (7-6 Aggregate) – Madness at Old Trafford
In arguably one of the most dramatic Europa League matches in recent memory, Manchester United, fueled by the Old Trafford faithful, mounted a jaw-dropping comeback against Lyon. After a tense 2–2 draw in the first leg, the second leg spiraled into extra time with the same scoreline (4–4 on aggregate). Then, Lyon looked to have sealed their place as Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette struck, making it a seemingly insurmountable 6–4 aggregate lead.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the 110th minute when Corentin Tolisso received a red card for a reckless challenge on Marcus Rashford. Down to ten men, Lyon couldn’t withstand United’s late onslaught. Bruno Fernandes, displaying his leadership and composure, calmly converted a penalty in the 114th minute. Young Kobbie Mainoo then equalized in the 120th minute with a composed finish. The Theatre of Dreams erupted when Harry Maguire, displaying his aerial prowess, scored the dramatic match-winner a minute later with a towering header.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorin after the match said, “This team doesn’t know how to quit. After Tolisso’s red card, we felt the spark. We just had to believe—and they did. This was more than football; this was heart.”
Tottenham Hotspur's Steady 1-0 Win Over Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1 Aggregate) – Spurs Show Maturity
Tottenham Hotspur approached their away leg in Frankfurt with maturity and control. The tie was delicately poised at 1–1 after the first leg, but Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty, awarded after a clever run and foul on James Maddison, proved decisive.
Eintracht Frankfurt pressed hard for an equalizer, but Tottenham’s defense, marshaled by the impressive Micky van de Ven and the commanding Cristian Romero, remained impenetrable. Ange Postecoglou’s tactical setup ensured Spurs saw out the game professionally. After the match Ange Postecoglou said, “We managed the game like seasoned pros. It’s not always about beautiful football—it’s about getting the job done. That’s exactly what we did.”
Athletic Club's Brilliant 2-0 Victory Over Rangers (2-0 Aggregate) – Basque Dominance at San Mamés
At the atmospheric San Mamés, Athletic Club turned up the heat on Rangers. After a goalless first leg, the Spanish side delivered a confident and dominant performance. Oihan Sancet opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty in the 49th minute, awarded after Maroan Sannadi was brought down in the box by Rangers defender John Souttar just before halftime. The energetic Nico Williams then sealed the result late in the second half with a thunderous finish in the 80th minute, following a perfect cross from the experienced left-back Oscar de Marcos.
Rangers struggled to find a way through Athletic’s disciplined backline, and the passionate home crowd pushed the Basques to their first Europa League semifinal since 2012. Bilbao’s manager Ernesto Valverde said, “We’ve built something strong here—football with identity, with spirit. We’ll take that into the semifinal and beyond.”
Lazio's Europa League Dream Ends in Penalty Heartbreak Against Bodø/Glimt (3-3 Aggregate, 2-3 on Penalties)
In a night filled with drama and emotion at the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio's Europa League journey came to a devastating end as they were eliminated by Norwegian surprise package Bodø/Glimt in a tense penalty shootout. Despite a valiant effort to overturn a first-leg deficit, the Biancocelesti fell short, marking a significant moment in both clubs' European histories.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Lazio showed immense determination. Goals from Taty Castellanos and Tijani Noslin leveled the aggregate score, pushing the tie into extra time. Boulaye Dia then added a third, seemingly putting Lazio in control. However, Bodø/Glimt showed incredible resilience as Andreas Helmersen scored late in extra time to equalize the aggregate at 3-3, despite receiving a red card shortly after his goal. The match proceeded to penalties, where Bodø/Glimt triumphed 3-2, thanks to crucial saves from their inspired goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.
Lazio's head coach, Marco Baroni, expressed pride in his team's performance despite the elimination. He highlighted the team's aggression, high pressing, and numerous scoring opportunities, stating, "We played well, created chances, were aggressive, pressed high, stopped Bodø/Glimt playing and had so many scoring opportunities. I am sad at the result, but proud of the performance."
With this historic victory, Bodø/Glimt became the first Norwegian team to reach the semifinals of a major European competition. Their remarkable journey continues as they prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the next round, marking a significant milestone in Norwegian football history.
Europa League Semifinals – Fixtures & Outlook
Semifinal 1: Manchester United vs Athletic Club
- 1st Leg: May 1, San Mamés
- 2nd Leg: May 8, Old Trafford
Semifinal 2: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bodø/Glimt
- 1st Leg: May 1, Bodø
- 2nd Leg: May 8, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The final will be held at the iconic San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025. With Manchester United’s comeback magic, Tottenham’s control, Athletic’s swagger, and Glimt’s underdog fight, the semifinals are perfectly poised for another unforgettable chapter in Europa League history.
