Manchester United reaches the UEFA Europa League final stage for the first time in four years.
On the 9th at 4 a.m. (Korean time), Manchester United defeated Athletic Bilbao (Spain) 4-1 in the second leg of the semifinals held at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, for the 2024-2025 season UEFA Europa League.
Thus, Manchester United advanced to the final, defeating Bilbao with an aggregate score of 7-1. Last week, they secured a decisive 3-0 victory away against Bilbao, gaining momentum, and completed a comeback victory at home, showcasing an overwhelming performance.
Manchester United's opponent in the final is Tottenham, who advanced after defeating Bode/Glimt. Tottenham successfully advanced to the final by defeating Bode with an aggregate score of 5-1. In the Premier League, Manchester United and Tottenham, both having their worst seasons side by side, will face off for the European competition trophy.
Manchester United operated in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes - Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorr, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Viktor Lindelof, and Andre Onana made up the starting lineup.
Athletic Bilbao faced off in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Marouane Sannadi, Unai Gomez - Alex Berenguer - Alvaro Zallo, Mikel Haurehisar - Inigo Luis DeGalareta, Yuri Berchiche - Unai Nunez - Yerai Alvarez - Andoni Gorosabel, and Julen Agirezabal were deployed first. Key forwards Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams, along with Oihan Sancet, were all out due to injuries.
A cautious flow of the game continued. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Dorr was brought down inside the box, and the referee contemplated a penalty kick decision but let play continue. In the 25th minute, Mazraoui received a warning for using his elbow during an aerial duel.
Bilbao maintained hope by scoring first. In the 31st minute, Maguire made a pass error in the defensive Chin Young, and Zallo intercepted it and shot, but it was blocked by the defensive wall. Haurehisar, who retrieved the rebound, made a fantastic long-range shot that found the net, reducing the deficit to two goals.
Manchester United missed a golden opportunity. In the 43rd minute, Dorr, who broke through the central area, made a brilliant through pass into the defensive backspace. Garnacho had a perfect one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, but his chip shot went wide left of the goal. The first half ended with Bilbao leading 1-0.
Both teams utilized their substitution cards. In the 62nd minute, Bilbao replaced De Galareta and Gorosabel with Oscar De Marcos and Aingeru Olavarrieta. Manchester United brought off Garnacho and substituted in Amad Diallo.
Manchester United equalized. In the 71st minute, Yoro advanced into the box and passed the ball to Mount. Mount made a wonderful touch to turn and then pierced the corner of the goal with an accurate shot.
Once inflamed, Manchester United's offensive firepower showed no signs of cooling down. In the 79th minute, Casemiro headed a superb free-kick floated in from the right to score the comeback goal. Manchester United took the lead with an aggregate score of 5-1, sealing the match.
But that wasn't the end. Hojlund, who had been quiet, also joined in scoring. In the 85th minute, Diallo made a perfect ground cross after breaking past on the right side of the box, and Hojlund merely touched it with his foot to finish. In stoppage time, Mount added a multi-goal performance as the match concluded with a resounding victory for Manchester United.
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