Manchester United faced Olympique Lyon in the Europa League quarterfinals in a match that many are already calling the game of the year. A dramatic 5ā4 victory in extra time, capped by a stunning last-gasp header from Harry Maguire, completed a 7ā6 aggregate comeback that will go down as one of the most thrilling in European soccer history.
But beyond the scoreline, the question arises: how many teams in football history have scored twice in the 120th minute of a match? The answer underscores just how unprecedented Unitedās late-game heroics truly were.
With the aggregate score level at 4ā4 at the end of regulation, Lyon appeared to seize control during extra time. Rayan Cherki gave the French side the lead in the 104th minute, and Alexandre Lacazette followed with a penalty conversion just five minutes later to make it 6ā4 on aggregate. United seemed destined for eliminationāa night to forget for fans and players alike. Then came the miraculous turnaround.
Kobbie Mainoo sparked hope with a goal in the 120th minute, making it 6ā5. That alone seemed enough to force penalties. But in stoppage timeāfive minutes added onāCasemiro delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Harry Maguire rose to meet it and smashed home the winner. Pandemonium ensued.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates victory after the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais
A first in European soccer history
The magnitude of Unitedās comeback is highlighted by a stunning stat: no team in European competition had ever scored two goals in the 120th minute of a match. Not even Real Madrid, legendary for their dramatic comebacks, has accomplished such a feat. Manchester United are now the first team in European soccer history to score twice in the 120th minute of a major continental fixture.
This match may go down as the greatest comeback in Europa League historyāsurpassing even Valenciaās legendary turnaround in the 2013/14 quarterfinals, when they overturned a 3ā0 first-leg deficit to Basel with a dramatic extra-time win at the Mestalla.
Casemiro: The architect of the comeback
The driving force behind Unitedās epic comeback was none other than former Real Madrid icon Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder turned back the clock to his Champions League days, delivering two crucial assists in extra timeāincluding the match-defining ball to Maguire in the dying seconds against Lyon. It was a vintage display from a player accustomed to delivering in Europeās biggest moments.
