Lyon vs Manchester United Review
Rayan Cherki’s stoppage time equalizer secured a 2-2 draw for Lyon against Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final match, with the Red Devils remaining unbeaten in their last six encounters (3 wins, 3 draws). In the early moments, United seemed to rise to the occasion, starting strong and creating a prime opportunity when Patrick Dorgu set up an unmarked Rasmus Højlund from 12 yards out, but the Danish forward missed the target. Bruno Fernandes then attempted to score, and while his shot looked likely to test Lucas Perri, a last-minute block sent it just over the bar.
Pre-match remarks between André Onana and Nemanja Matić added some tension to the game, and the United goalkeeper found himself in a bit of a predicament midway through the first half. Thiago Almada delivered a threatening cross from a free-kick, and although a Lyon player missed it, Onana was unable to prevent it from reaching the far corner, despite getting a hand on it.
It seemed like his error would leave United trailing at halftime, but an unexpected hero, Leny Yoro, redirected Manuel Ugarte’s volley into the bottom corner. Yoro also had United’s first chance of the second half, sending a shot just wide from the edge of the box. The hosts had an even better chance, particularly Corentin Tolisso, who maneuvered to create space in the area but could only shoot directly at Onana. As the match neared its end, United increased their pressure and had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead when Alejandro Garnacho connected with Dorgu’s deep cross on the volley, but his bouncing shot was saved by Perri.
Lyon’s best opportunity to take a lead to Old Trafford next week slipped away when substitute Alexandre Lacazette shot just over the bar from inside the box. They faced harsh consequences when, with only a few minutes remaining, Joshua Zirkzee headed in what he believed was the winning goal at the far post.
However, there was one final twist; almost at the end of the match, Cherki scored from close range after Onana mishandled Georges Mikautadze’s initial shot. Despite this, it still extended United’s unbeaten streak in the first leg of major European knockout matches to 12 games.
