Manchester United was held to a tie with Lyon in the first leg of the continental tournament, with 90 minutes remaining to determine who advances to the semifinals.
Thiago Almada opened the scoring with a free kick in the 25th minute. It doesn’t quite match the quality of Deco Rice’s double in the Champions League, but it capture the good things that happen when you throw the ball into areas of contention.
Like many on the pitch, Almada’s curlers met with decency that kept them elusive. Andre Onana’s far post was no exception. The net was bound to be his as the goalkeepers attempts at parrying were futile. Onana had to witness this after Nemanja Matic’s ominous words in the build-up and indeed, it was a terrible moment for Onana.
Leny Yoro’s goal in the first half added a glimmer of hope for the visitors’ team. Throughout most of the second half, Manchester United were defending chance after chance in their box. United took their chances when they pounced on a loose ball in Lyon’s penalty area. Kobbie Mainoo located Bruno Fernandes as he’s done throughout the season, sent a wicked cross to the back post where Zirkzee netted a header to score United’s second goal.
With only the Europa League left as a real competition in the latter part of the season, it seemed that Ruben Amorim’s side were destined to head back to England in the lead. Rayan Cherki played spoiler in the dying seconds, just as Yoro did in the first half, to level the game. That was another moment from Onana that will surely be replayed non-stop until this time next week.
Everything is still to be decided at the Theatre of Dreams, with both teams boosted with the belief that they can cross the finish line.
