Lyon and Manchester United back to back: a suspenseful 2-2 at the Groupama Stadium
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United drew a spectacular 2-2 in the Europa League quarter-final first leg. The emotional encounter kept the suspense going until the return leg at Old Trafford.
A high-intensity duel
In a boiling Groupama Stadium, it was Lyon who struck first. In the 17th minute, Thiago Almada converted a direct free kick, taking advantage of a poor assessment of the ball by André Onana , the Manchester goalkeeper. This goal rewarded a good start to the match by OL, full of desire and aggression in the duels.
But just before half-time, Leny Yoro , a young Manchester United central defender, equalized with a powerful header from a corner. The second half then turned in favor of the Red Devils, with a goal from Joshua Zirkzee (66th), ideally served by Bruno Fernandes .
Just as victory seemed to be on the cards for the English, Rayan Cherki equalized in stoppage time (90+2ᵉ), with a shot released by Onana, who made his second blunder in the match. A saving goal that revived Lyon's hopes.
Onana, unfortunate hero
United's Cameroonian goalkeeper, André Onana , was unfortunately one of the key players in this match. His two errors cost his team dearly, despite a generally decent performance on the line. Coach Rúben Amorim was keen to calm the critics in a press conference:
"Mistakes are part of the game. André also saved us this season. He will be there for the return match."
Everything still to play for at Old Trafford
The 2-2 scoreline offers a great outlook for the return leg on April 17 in Manchester. Lyon have shown they can compete with one of Europe's biggest clubs, and United now know they must not let up. The upcoming clash promises to be thrilling.
Cheap football shirts: a great deal for fans
Following this epic encounter, supporters of both sides rallied. On social media, many displayed their colors with pride. Whether it was the intense red of the Manchester United jersey or the white and blue of the Lyon jersey , the match kits became symbols of passion.
💡 Good deal : you can order cheap football shirts to support your team without breaking the bank.
