DRAMATIC UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

thenewbigtree
May 2
3 min read

UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals First Leg: Thrilling Wins for Manchester United and TottenhamMay 1, 2025 The UEFA Europa League semi-finals first leg delivered high drama and decisive performances, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur taking commanding leads ahead of their return fixtures. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights and talking points: 1. Athletic Club…

UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals First Leg: Thrilling Wins for Manchester United and TottenhamMay 1, 2025

The UEFA Europa League semi-finals first leg delivered high drama and decisive performances, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur taking commanding leads ahead of their return fixtures. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights and talking points:

1. Athletic Club 0–3 Manchester United: Fernandes Shines in Basque Dominance

Key Moments:

Casemiro’s Opener: Against the run of play, Harry Maguire stunned Athletic Club with a marauding run down the right wing, delivering a pinpoint cross that Manuel Ugarte flicked to Casemiro, who headed home (30’) .
Controversial Red Card & Penalty: A VAR review led to Dani Vivian’s red card for fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the box. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty (37’) .
Fernandes Seals the Brace: Just before halftime, Fernandes capitalized on Ugarte’s backheel pass, chipping the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 (45’) .
Post-Match Reactions: Manager Ruben Amorim praised his team’s composure but warned against complacency: “They can do the same at Old Trafford… we have to finish the job” .

Standout Performers:

Bruno Fernandes: With two goals, the captain now has 27 Europa League goals, closing in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record (34) .
Harry Maguire: The defender-turned-winger dazzled with his assist, earning plaudits for his unexpected attacking contribution .

2. Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 Bodo/Glimt: Postecoglou’s Rescue Mission Alive

Key Moments:

Lightning Start: Brennan Johnson scored just 39 seconds in, the fastest goal in Spurs’ Europa League history .
Maddison & Solanke Extend Lead: James Maddison’s deflected strike (34’) and Dominic Solanke’s penalty (61’) put Spurs in control .
Late Consolation: Ulrik Saltnes’ 83rd-minute goal gave Bodo/Glimt hope ahead of the second leg in Norway .

Context:Despite a dismal Premier League campaign (16th place), Spurs showcased European resilience. Manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the mixed performance: “The scoreline doesn’t reflect our dominance” . However, reports suggest his job remains at risk even if Spurs win the trophy .

Road to the Final: An All-English Affair in Bilbao?

Both English clubs are now heavy favorites to meet in the final at San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao, on May 21, 2025 . Key subplots include:

Champions League Incentive: Winning the Europa League offers a lifeline for Champions League qualification, crucial for United (14th in PL) and Spurs (16th) .
Final Venue Irony: Athletic Club’s home ground could host an all-English final, a bitter twist for the Basque side .

Controversies and Stats

VAR Drama: Athletic Club fans protested Vivian’s red card and a potential handball by Alejandro Garnacho in the buildup to United’s penalty, but VAR upheld the decisions .
United’s European Form: The Red Devils extended their unbeaten Europa League run to 13 games, with an xG of 2.58 vs. Athletic’s 0.98 .

Looking Ahead: Second Legs

Manchester United vs. Athletic Club(May 8): United’s 3-0 lead makes them near-certain finalists, but Amorim insists: “We need our fans to push us” .
Bodo/Glimt vs. Tottenham (May 8): Spurs’ 3-1 advantage faces a test on Bodo’s artificial turf, a surface Postecoglou called “a different challenge” .

Conclusion: The semi-finals first leg showcased the contrasting fortunes of English clubs domestically and in Europe. With United and Spurs one step closer to Bilbao, the stage is set for a potential Premier League showdown in Spain.