Olympique Lyonnais snatched a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in a pulsating Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Groupama Stadium. The result means United remain unbeaten in their last six encounters with the French side.
The atmosphere was electric before kickoff, with a thunderous Icelandic thunderclap setting the stage for a dramatic encounter.
United started brightly, creating an early chance when Patrick Dorgu teed up Rasmus Hojlund, but the Danish striker’s shot went wide.
Bruno Fernandes then tested Lyon’s goalkeeper Lucas Perri, but a crucial block sent the ball just over the bar. Adding to the tension, pre-match comments between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic added extra spice to the game. United’s goalkeeper, Onana, had a moment he’d rather forget midway through the first half.
Thiago Almada’s dangerous free-kick cross caused problems, and Onana, despite getting a hand to it, couldn’t prevent it from finding the net.
It looked like Lyon would take the lead into halftime, but Leny Yoro popped up to divert Manuel Ugarte’s volley into the bottom corner, leveling the score.
Yoro continued to be a key figure, creating United’s first chance of the second half, though his shot went narrowly wide. Lyon then had a great opportunity through Corentin Tolisso, but his shot was saved by Onana.
United piled on the pressure late in the game, with Alejandro Garnacho forcing a good save from Perri.
Lyon then missed a chance to take a lead to Old Trafford, when substitute Alexandre Lacazette curled his shot just over the bar.
They were punished for that miss, when, with just minutes remaining, Joshua Zirkzee headed home what seemed like the winning goal.
But there was one last twist in the tale. In the dying seconds, Rayan Cherki scored from close range after Onana fumbled Georges Mikautadze’s initial shot, earning Lyon a draw. The draw extended United’s unbeaten run in first legs of major European knockout ties to 12 matches.
